Jabba's Palace is stopping production in 2014

[305Bats]

"Ending production in 2014" is hardly "withdrawing the set because it's racist". This story doesn't bother me. If I want to get the set, I still have a good year and a half in which to do so.

Don't be so sure,the scalpers will buy them all up and sell them at a premium to all the idiots who will pay too much for them!

[Anio]

Since everyone is informed the model will be discontinued in 2014, I do not see the problem.

Just buy the set before 2014 ! @_@

[dont stop making Jabbas]

As far as I am concerned the problem is whether the date it will be discontinued has been affected by pressure from protesters. If that is the case - if they are stopping sooner than planned because of pressure then what does that mean for other sets? For the development of future sets?

[sologuy369]

Sorry "dont stop making Jabbas", but your wasting your time protesting about toys. There are other more serious issues out there that you could be supporting/protesting. And if you are going to protest about this, you'll need more than a facebook page. Besides, TLC probably "agreed" with them to keep at peace. It was in their plans anyways.

[dont stop making Jabbas]

Sorry "dont stop making Jabbas", but your wasting your time protesting about toys. There are other more serious issues out there that you could be supporting/protesting. And if you are going to protest about this, you'll need more than a facebook page. Besides, TLC probably "agreed" with them to keep at peace. It was in their plans anyways.

I disagree that this issue is not worth protesting. Lets say TLC did agree to keep the the peace - well what happens with the next toy that causes someone offence? They have something to point to - you stopped that toy because it offended those people. What will TLCs answer be then? What if the planned stop is longer than 12 months away - how are they going to say "well yes we stopped that toy in 12 months and we will stop the one offending you but in 15 months" without making the problems 10 times worse as it immediately makes this toy more offensive than that toy and the groups set out to prove different. So they bring the stop forward to 12 months - which means they are forever more held hostage by any group that wants to feel offended. Which will of course be felt back at the design stage as planners are told to make sure their plans cannot offend anyone whatsoever - what do you think that will do for the quality of future Lego toys when the company is concentrating on non offending people more than pleasing people.

For Toy read every single other litlte area of life.

Yes there are other more serious issues - I confront them elsewhere as they are not lego related - I can be contacted for details. However every single serious issue started as something small and unimportant - its just this one little thing we are going to change its not important its pretty much what we would have done anyway we will just let them think we are doing it because they wanted it. So the they keep thinking they can have things their own way right up till the point their own way is different when they find they cant and then all hell breaks loose.

[Erdbeereis]

I disagree that this issue is not worth protesting. Lets say TLC did agree to keep the the peace - well what happens with the next toy that causes someone offence? They have something to point to - you stopped that toy because it offended those people. What will TLCs answer be then? What if the planned stop is longer than 12 months away - how are they going to say "well yes we stopped that toy in 12 months and we will stop the one offending you but in 15 months" without making the problems 10 times worse as it immediately makes this toy more offensive than that toy and the groups set out to prove different. So they bring the stop forward to 12 months - which means they are forever more held hostage by any group that wants to feel offended. Which will of course be felt back at the design stage as planners are told to make sure their plans cannot offend anyone whatsoever - what do you think that will do for the quality of future Lego toys when the company is concentrating on non offending people more than pleasing people.

For Toy read every single other litlte area of life.

Yes there are other more serious issues - I confront them elsewhere as they are not lego related - I can be contacted for details. However every single serious issue started as something small and unimportant - its just this one little thing we are going to change its not important its pretty much what we would have done anyway we will just let them think we are doing it because they wanted it. So the they keep thinking they can have things their own way right up till the point their own way is different when they find they cant and then all hell breaks loose.

I would suggest calming down a bit. This really isn't as big of a deal as you are making it out to be, especially seeing as we don't know the whole story and how much is true (I only read through the article briefly for what it's worth). The article is written is a strange way to me, and frankly doesn't make a whole lot of sense. LEGO is certainly not the first toy to depict this particular part of Star Wars, so I find it hard to believe that TLG would feel forced to comply. Plus, the set would probably be discontinued in 2014 anyway as others have said, and that coupled with the fact that there is no statement from TLG itself in the article makes me feel that this is not the whole story. Anyway, while I completely agree with you that complaints about the set are unfounded and silly, you've made your point, and I don't want this thread to get out of hand with advertisements for protest groups. Thanks.

[Leo604]

....Since now I find myself confused with everything you just said and all the other points that have been flying around, am I right in saying that the TCA wanted the production of Jabba's Palace to cease immediately and after meeting them TLG reiterated that set production would cease at the end of 2013 but for factors not relating to the criticism?

If all that is true, then I'm not sure your protesting will be able to convince TLG otherwise.

As far as I am concerned the problem is whether the date it will be discontinued has been affected by pressure from protesters. If that is the case - if they are stopping sooner than planned because of pressure then what does that mean for other sets? For the development of future sets?

As the TLG representatives told RT news the date to end production 'has nothing to do with criticism with the TCA', so in the end it wasn't affected at all.

[dont stop making Jabbas]

I would suggest calming down a bit. This really isn't as big of a deal as you are making it out to be, especially seeing as we don't know the whole story and how much is true (I only read through the article briefly for what it's worth). While I completely agree with you that complaints about the set are unfounded and silly, you've made your point, and I don't want this thread to get out of hand with advertisements for protest groups. Thanks.

My apologies - I am out of order, keep forgeting which forum I am on.

....Since now I find myself confused with everything you just said and all the other points that have been flying around, am I right in saying that the TCA wanted the production of Jabba's Palace to cease immediately and after meeting them TLG reiterated that set production would cease at the end of 2013 but for factors not relating to the criticism?

If all that is true, then I'm not sure your protesting will be able to convince TLG otherwise.

As the TLG representatives told RT news the date to end production 'has nothing to do with criticism with the TCA', so in the end it wasn't affected at all.

I would debate this further as there are points but do not want to cause problems so will withdraw. Just dont want you think I was blanking you.

[Scorpiox]

Sigh, do I have to be the one to point out that the Hagia Sofia was originally a church?

I just wish that I could do something to help TLG stand up to these woolly liberals and their 'Oh no! This could offend somebody!' mentality. First and foremost, this is a toy based on a film, if anything, Lord Lucas should be the one in trouble. Secondly, I doubt that any child alive who owns this toy has, and ever will, make a connection to Islam and somehow make a judgement about it. Damn, I watched Episode IV first as a teenager and didn't even comprehend any supposed religious connotations.

Someone should tell these people to stop being proffesionally offended at everything and get on with their lives.

[dont stop making Jabbas]

Sigh, do I have to be the one to point out that the Hagia Sofia was originally a church?

I just wish that I could do something to help TLG stand up to these woolly liberals and their 'Oh no! This could offend somebody!' mentality. First and foremost, this is a toy based on a film, if anything, Lord Lucas should be the one in trouble. Secondly, I doubt that any child alive who owns this toy has, and ever will, make a connection to Islam and somehow make a judgement about it. Damn, I watched Episode IV first as a teenager and didn't even comprehend any supposed religious connotations.

Someone should tell these people to stop being proffesionally offended at everything and get on with their lives.

Amen to that brother

[Sam892]

While the end of production of this set has nothing to do with the protests back in January, it annoys me that they are claiming victory. Just like the Page 3 protest groups that 'claimed' victory because the Sun/LEGO contract wasn't renewed. Seems to me that some people just like to pretend they made an Impact on the world.Being part Welsh (1/4) I remember being offended at a teacher who insinuated something about Welsh people. when I said that it was offensive I was told 'get over it', I learned a valuable lesson that day. Some people will be offended and some won't, and in the end ignoring something is much more rewarding than giving someone a reaction. While that doesn't work in all cases its a nice thought.

[ETAV8R]

Sigh, do I have to be the one to point out that the Hagia Sofia was originally a church?

I just wish that I could do something to help TLG stand up to these woolly liberals and their 'Oh no! This could offend somebody!' mentality. First and foremost, this is a toy based on a film, if anything, Lord Lucas should be the one in trouble. Secondly, I doubt that any child alive who owns this toy has, and ever will, make a connection to Islam and somehow make a judgement about it. Damn, I watched Episode IV first as a teenager and didn't even comprehend any supposed religious connotations.

Someone should tell these people to stop being proffesionally offended at everything and get on with their lives.

Amen again!

I saw ROTJ when it came out. I saw Jabbas palace on screen and the characters. I was enveloped in a world created for fantasy. In no way did I then or ever relate it to something religious.

I think TLG should produce it for at least two years after...making it around 2016 that it is retired. I am amazed at the amounts people go to not to offend someone else and yet it isn't really making the world a more tolerant place. Screw em, build it bigger and better. If I don't like something I don't like it but I don't tell others they shouldn't either. Any religion that goes to the point of trying to force its views on others is most likely going against said beliefs. It is a ploy. End Rant.

Edited April 2, 2013 by ETAV8R

[Vindicare]

I'm sure TLG isn't giving in to these people. It's so easy to offend people these days and this is just a lame example of it. I really wish that TLG would've just shrugged off this supped complaint altogether. I'd be willing to bet my entire collection that none of those TCAers even buy/like LEGO, so, in tat regard, who really cares...

Theres plenty of toys and other stuff I don't like and could find offense in, but I don't care about it's existence enough to whine. They really need to find something better to do with their lives...

[BrickTango]

Obviously life in Austria is too good and these people protesting have a lot of free time in their hands!

As someone of Turkish background and a muslim, I am not sure which planet these protestors live in and how they get offended by something that is depicting scenes from an iconic movie. Seriously! Vocal minority idiots should not be taken too seriously!

[Debricker]

Well, for younger kids, wanting the set, they may save up for it and then find it isn't in stores anymore.

[Devorath]

^How long would it take them to save up?

Anyway, it might not be a year, it might be more or less, depending on when they stop production.

Or what time zone you're in. People, live in NZ until 2014, then move to USA.

[Elrond]

I'd say that's a pretty smart move from LEGO. They managed to avoid a trial, as well as possible deterioration of their image, all this without alienating themselves from a part of the public and without really changing their plans.

What I want to know though is why Austrian muslims associate themselves with Jabba the Hutt. I fear the world might never know the answer.

[dont stop making Jabbas]

I'd say that's a pretty smart move from LEGO. They managed to avoid a trial, as well as possible deterioration of their image, all this without alienating themselves from a part of the public and without really changing their plans.

What I want to know though is why Austrian muslims associate themselves with Jabba the Hutt. I fear the world might never know the answer.

No it is not a smart move at all - because the next time a group gets offended at something and complains Lego will have to stop production of that within 12 months even if it was supposed to run for 2 years. If they dont stop production of it the message is this complaint is taken more seriouly than that one which will result in massively increased complaints to show the new complain is just as serious as that one. Or they can look up and say OK we lied to the people complaining the first time we were going to stop it anyway and just let them think we were doing it for them - and I am sure you can imagine the effect that will have.

By handling it this way they are sending out the message that their decisions can be controlled by pressure from protesters - and that will simply result in more protesters wanting more control.

[Elrond]

The alternative wasn't that great. The protesters would have probably sued them which would have had a rather negative impact on the company's image (even if they probably would have won, considering how silly the complaint is), especially because of how touchy these subjects are. Also, I guess TLG wanted to avoid having to deal with possible actions from religious extremists.

[dont stop making Jabbas]

The alternative wasn't that great. The protesters would have probably sued them which would have had a rather negative impact on the company's image (even if they probably would have won, considering how silly the complaint is), especially because of how touchy these subjects are. Also, I guess TLG wanted to avoid having to deal with possible actions from religious extremists.

All they have done is put it off though - the next time this group gets offended - or another group - if Lego do not respond by stopping production within 12 months then they will get a lawsuit - and it will be much harder to defend because the group bringing the suit can show precedent, can show that Lego has ceased production in 12 months on a different occasion.

The company has made itself far far more vulnerable to these groups because it appears to have given in once they will make sure it gives in again.

How long before a new set just released with a planned 3 year production run has to be stopped after 11 months because someone is offended?

[Elrond]

All they have done is put it off though - the next time this group gets offended - or another group - if Lego do not respond by stopping production within 12 months then they will get a lawsuit - and it will be much harder to defend because the group bringing the suit can show precedent, can show that Lego has ceased production in 12 months on a different occasion.

The company has made itself far far more vulnerable to these groups because it appears to have given in once they will make sure it gives in again.

How long before a new set just released with a planned 3 year production run has to be stopped after 11 months because someone is offended?

While I agree with you, I still believe TLG didn't have any decent alternative here and made the best decision possible. They're a toy company, they have no political power and reputation means everything to them. If they didn't pretend they were listening to those religious nuts, they would probably have gotten much more attention from the media as this association (and possibly others) would have accused them of creating racist toys. That's just how these associations work and these idiotic "fights" is how they justify their existence.

Most of the sane population now isn't blaming TLG but is making fun of this association's stupidity. That's what they were trying to achieve.

Edited April 2, 2013 by Elrond

[dont stop making Jabbas]

While I agree with you, I still believe TLG didn't have any decent alternative here and made the best decision possible. They're a toy company, they have no political power and reputation means everything to them. If they didn't pretend they were listening to those religious nuts, they would probably have gotten much more attention from the media as this association (and possibly others) would have accused them of creating racist toys. That's just how these associations work and these idiotic "fights" is how they justify their existence.

Most of the population now isn't blaming TLG but is making fun of this association's stupidity. That's what they were trying to achieve.

And in 6 months time when this group and 2 others are campaigning to have other toys stopped - where has TLG got to go? They will have the choice between giving in again only with much worse consequences or a far far nastier court case.

I know they are a toy company and have no political power but they have just handed power to these groups.

[Elrond]

I know they are a toy company and have no political power but they have just handed power to these groups.

The ones to blame aren't TLG but those who gave credit to such associations in the first place and allowed them to become lobbies. TLG here is just the victim of this situation.

[Moexy]

This problem could be the same if TLG ever decides to release LOTR Haradrim (perhaps Men of Rhun) sets, if muslims or middle eastern people also find this offensive ... Then they get cancelled too :(

[The_Chosen_1]

^ Let's hope not. I would love to see Lego Haradrim!