Commander Adama Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 For a purely selfish reason I want Lego to win. Because at the moment, when looking on ebay at bulk lots, if I identify non Lego figures, I can assume there will also be non lego elements (and make my decision accordingly). If clone brand minifigs look too much like Lego minifigs, this will become increasingly difficult (and I will probably end up making more accidental clone brand purchases). But, my son would probably like comparable clones with more weapons (but that is what brickforge/brickarms etc are for). So let me get this straight. This company has now released Minifiguers that look like Lego's minifigure? I hope Lego win, if this other company win the other company's will move in as well :( Quote
Jargo Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 I think for all the sparring on the issue, the fact that anyone can make bricks is fine. choose the brand you like and buy or don't buy. However, the minifig IS Lego's baby. I think they deserve to keep the rights to the design in perpetuity. Brick shapes come and go and are copied and altered but the minifig is as iconic as the Lego logo. I don't really care if other companies produce brick sets. They're usually vastly inferior designs and fine for the budget marketplace. I'm fine with custom items produced by enterprising individuals that fill little gaps in the Lego brick pantheon and compliment Lego. The minifig is sacred though. when you look at all the mods and mocs that are spread across the internet and at conventions and when Lego is in the media, the Lego minifig is there reigning supreme. It's instantly recognisable as the logo is. No-one should have the right to dilute such an icon. Lego has to win the battle to maintain status of the minifig as the best in he world. Banbao must be forced to alter their design. Quote
Omicron Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 Most companies modify the legs of their minifigs (see Sluban/Oxford for examples) to keep them distinct. Best Lock/Cobi doesn't. -Omi Quote
Delta 38 Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 I think for all the sparring on the issue, the fact that anyone can make bricks is fine. choose the brand you like and buy or don't buy. However, the minifig IS Lego's baby. I think they deserve to keep the rights to the design in perpetuity. Brick shapes come and go and are copied and altered but the minifig is as iconic as the Lego logo. I don't really care if other companies produce brick sets. They're usually vastly inferior designs and fine for the budget marketplace. I agree. While I still stay clear of clone brands, there are tons of brands with similar mechanisms to Lego pieces, and that can't be controlled. Minifigures are a different matter altogether. I love minifigures, and they are a major part of the sets and company in general. I'm not sure what the possible consequences may be, but from a legal and consumers' standpoint, Lego should win this. Quote
vexorian Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 (edited) I would prefer TLG to lose this case after seeing those minifigs. They are definitely not exact copies and TLG shouldn't go and pull a Microsoft chasing after products that do the same thing but different, they certainly don't need to do that. Since, unlike Microsoft, TLG have quality on their side. If the figure was identical, I would support TLG in this case, but it just doesn't seem to be the case. Megabloks' minifigs are so ugly, that I think it is perfectly possible to argue that "The stones, the figures, the boxes, the parts and the use of color." are functional and thus required to compete rather than something that is part of trademark. Oh, and this article is probably the best evidence we have that we are still eons away of having good automatic translation. Edited October 6, 2011 by vexorian Quote
ACWWgal2011 Posted October 6, 2011 Posted October 6, 2011 (edited) The figures i'm seeing from image searches look almost exactly like Lego minifigures. Only real difference i'm seeing is the head in very small ways. Also, can someone please fill me in on the details of the lawsuit? Is it Lego suing BanBao or is it the other way around? Exactly what would happening if Lego loses the lawsuit? When will there be an announcement of the result? I tried using 4 different search engines online to no result. Yahoo, Bing, and Ask all came up with nothing. I also tried Google but for reasons unknown it is not working properly for me on FireFox. I can't use the IE to try to Google because IE won't load up properly for me. Edited October 6, 2011 by ACWWgal2011 Quote
Peppermint_M Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 Best Lock creates mostly Lego Like minifigures, their faces and hands are a sort of taupe colour though. They also have different hand holes in the arms. Cobi figures have markedly different measurements to Lego. Leg studs are shorter and hands are thicker. They also have noses. Sluban and old Oxford figures have curved leg tops and no hip/belt section. New Oxford ones are in crossmr's great reviews. They have hips. Tatco are scary bad. I mean really... Click Brick are virtually the same. But I am not precisely sure. Lost of labeled pictures here in my brickshelf folder dedicated to such things. There are a few comparison shots and a lot of others. Quote
Siegfried Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 They are definitely not exact copies and TLG shouldn't go and pull a Microsoft chasing after products that do the same thing but different, they certainly don't need to do that. Since, unlike Microsoft, TLG have quality on their side. Huh? I understand that it's popular to bash Microsoft, but I'm still not seeing the connection. Example? Quote
Aanchir Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 Best Lock/Cobi doesn't. -Omi Don't Best Lock figs have semicircular toes rather than rectangular ones? I have owned a few Best Lock sets, so unless they've changed their figure design (which wouldn't be unwelcome; I don't have any special fondness for Best Lock figs) then I thought there were some greater distinctions in the legs. Quote
vexorian Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 Huh? I understand that it's popular to bash Microsoft, but I'm still not seeing the connection. Example? Just a quick example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15106889 Quote
Peppermint_M Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 Don't Best Lock figs have semicircular toes rather than rectangular ones? I have owned a few Best Lock sets, so unless they've changed their figure design (which wouldn't be unwelcome; I don't have any special fondness for Best Lock figs) then I thought there were some greater distinctions in the legs. How far back are we talking? I recall in the early 00s my brother getting a Best Lock space craft with all the parts off scale to Lego, grips and lines on the underside of the brick (Not stud and tube) and figures with hollow heads under the headgear, like Playmobil figures. Current ones (as in my earlier linked gallery) are similar to Lego minifigs. Quote
Siegfried Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 Just a quick example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15106889 I figured. That's actually a bad example; Microsoft is offering more there than they are getting. This is more protecting Android than killing it... and that's coming from a Samsung Galaxy SII owner. But I'll get back in my box now. Quote
AndyC Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 I figured. That's actually a bad example; Microsoft is offering more there than they are getting. This is more protecting Android than killing it... and that's coming from a Samsung Galaxy SII owner. But I'll get back in my box now. Yes, a better example would be Apple's attempt to globally surpress Samsung devices that even vaguely resemble an iPad/iPhone. It's just not trendy to bash Apple rather than Microsoft. Quote
meyerc13 Posted October 10, 2011 Posted October 10, 2011 I saw some of the BanBao sets at a Tuesday Morning store today. The designs of some of the sets are close enough to LEGO that I could see a grandparent getting confused and picking up one of these by mistake. The pricing on the sets was all over the board, their 820 piece fire station was about half the price of a LEGO fire station, but their 600 piece police boat is about the same price as the LEGO police boat (although more pieces than LEGO's). Some of the designs look impressive, like a police Hummer... but other designs are unidentifiable. Even my 6 year old son noticed that they show their firemen with their hats on backwards. I was half tempted to pick up one of these just to see what the quality was like, but I'd rather save my money for real LEGO. Quote
Commander Adama Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 I saw some of the BanBao sets at a Tuesday Morning store today. The designs of some of the sets are close enough to LEGO that I could see a grandparent getting confused and picking up one of these by mistake. The pricing on the sets was all over the board, their 820 piece fire station was about half the price of a LEGO fire station, but their 600 piece police boat is about the same price as the LEGO police boat (although more pieces than LEGO's). Some of the designs look impressive, like a police Hummer... but other designs are unidentifiable. Even my 6 year old son noticed that they show their firemen with their hats on backwards. I was half tempted to pick up one of these just to see what the quality was like, but I'd rather save my money for real LEGO. What would happen if LEGO lost the case? I have also seen these BanBao sets, I saw them and thinking they were LEGO almost bought them. I agree some of the sets are cheaper and some seem tempting, but if you buy the. You are helping the enemy XD Quote
ACWWgal2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 I'm not sure. I asked at the top of the page but nobody ever responded to the question. When i asked on yahoo answers, i didn't get an answer and i just tried Google and nothing. I even tried Bing but it seems to have pull up every result that's NOT related to what i need to know. Quote
Jedi master Brick Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 I'm not sure. I asked at the top of the page but nobody ever responded to the question. When i asked on yahoo answers, i didn't get an answer and i just tried Google and nothing. I even tried Bing but it seems to have pull up every result that's NOT related to what i need to know. Lego a sueing ban bao for the copying of the minifigures. If lego lose the minifiure will be copied by other clone brands, if lego win (rightfully)Lego will recive lots of money and ban bao have to change their sets Quote
ACWWgal2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 (edited) I don't think i'm getting the whole picture with the problem. There are other clones w/ nearly the exact same figure layout already. I can think of 2 types that are near perfect clones of minifigures. Edited October 11, 2011 by ACWWgal2011 Quote
Jedi master Brick Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 I don't think i'm getting the whole picture with the problem. There are other clones w/ nearly the exact same figure layout already. I can think of 2 types that are near perfect clones of minifigures. No figures have loser arms, noses or hips or different proportions ban boa just copied lego's design Quote
Omicron Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 If lego lose the minifiure will be copied by other clone brands, Ummmmm, that boat has already sailed. -Omi Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.