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Is it illegal to sell custom LEGO?
Selling used LEGO is definitely legal, at least in most legal systems. One of the most basic property rights involves the right to transfer ownership as long as both parties agree on the terms. Even selling items under copyright (instructions, box art, games, etc) is legal under the first-sale doctrine.
Is it legal to make LEGO compatible bricks?
That means it is now legal to make interlocking bricks with exactly the same dimensions as LEGO, as long as you don’t put the LEGO logo on the studs. However. Specific elements (like a hinge or other special piece) may still have design patents on them so you can’t just copy any element from a current LEGO set.
Can LEGO sue?
The design of a set is probably copyrightable, as are individual minifigs or other printed parts. The design of an individual element would generally not be copyrightable. A Lego subsidiary sued a Chinese company for copyright infringement in 2002 and won, and it is now suing another.
Are LEGO instructions copyrighted?
The LEGO Group owns the copyrights to its building instructions, publications and to the photographs used in our catalogs and on our packages. Copying, scanning and distributing these materials on the Internet would be an infringement of our copyrights.
Are there any companies that can make Lego bricks?
I heard that lately a patent for LEGO expired and now everyone can create a company to produce bricks that are compatible with LEGO. I am wondering how many of such companies are there.
Can you make custom molding out of Lego?
The key here is that LEGO is very protective of its own brand and image, but as long as you don’t infringe on that, you’re most likely to be OK. In the case of custom molding, it means you can’t make any part that LEGO makes or has made itself, and of course you can’t pretend it’s LEGO at all.
Can a Lego part be made by another Lego part?
In the case of custom molding, it means you can’t make any part that LEGO makes or has made itself, and of course you can’t pretend it’s LEGO at all. And then you have to hope that LEGO doesn’t want to copy you, but even there they can play nice if they feel it’s best for them.
When did the patent for Lego bricks expire?
Closed 9 years ago. I heard that lately a patent for LEGO expired and now everyone can create a company to produce bricks that are compatible with LEGO. I am wondering how many of such companies are there.