LEGO gets tough on competitors Posted by Huw, 12 Mar 2015 08:43

Last night, our friends over Brick Fanatics, who are very good at digging up stories from all sorts of unusual places, reported that an article was published in National Law Journal stating that LEGO is suing three competitors over the similarity between their mini-dolls in construction sets aimed at girls and Friends mini-dolls.

The Brick Fan then did some more digging and posted images of example sets and also a link to the complaint filed with the US trade commission which, while pretty dry reading, nevertheless sheds some interesting light on the case.

The three companies being sued are MEGA Brands, Best Lock and LaRose Industries, manufacturers of Lite Brix, who "attempt to capitalize on LEGO's success by copying its innovations and products and preying on the vulnerability of LEGO's youthful consuming population, instead of developing their own product lines."

LEGO is seeking, amongst other things, to prevent the three companies selling their products in the United States.

So, to add some value and not simply repost what others have published, I thought I'd find some photos of the offending mini-dolls to enable you to decide whether LEGO has a case or not.

MEGA Brands

Example figures from My Life As Blue Ribbon Ranch Play Set

Best Lock

Example figure from Sleeping Beauty Princess Bed Best Lock Building Block Set

LaRose Industries

Example figure from LIte Brix Candy Shop

I think it's a case of all three blatantly copying LEGO Friends original mini-dolls and assuming the patents stand up to scrutiny in court, I think LEGO will be successful and a 'cease and desist' will be granted.

Are you a lawyer? If so, I'd be interested in your views; I suspect you'll understand the complaint better than I :)