I have found out that there are many so called LEGO compatible bricks. But are those bricks legal in the sense that they are not copy cat of original LEGO.
If there are such bricks - what are they ?
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2It is currently 100% legal to copycat the original lego bricks.– slebetmanSep 26, 2021 at 15:08
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1 Answer
All LEGO compatible bricks are legal. At this point LEGO no longer has a patent on the key features of the LEGO system regarding shape, measurements and connectivity.
This doesn’t hold true for minifigures, those are still trademarked.
Where things get ugly is with the design of sets, and the overall look and feel of LEGO packaging and the LEGO logo. Not to mention the licensing of outside IP such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel etc. This is why clone companies such as Mega Construx, Kreo and Cobi who make their own designs and work out their own IP licensing deals when needed are considered “legal”, where other companies such as the majority of the Chinese clones who gave us gems like “Star Wnrs” are not considered legal.
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Not being able to use LEGO branding leads to claims like “fits other construction kits” web.archive.org/web/20210926230321/https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/…– TimSep 25, 2021 at 19:36
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"This is why clone companies such as Mega Construx, Kreo and Cobi" Kreo hasn't been manufactured since 2015. The other two look like they're still being made, though. Sep 26, 2021 at 9:14
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Mega Bloks is still a thing; seems they have the Paw Patrol licensing (and IIRC they have/had Halo). Sep 26, 2021 at 23:42
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Mega Bloks is a sub-brand of Mega Construx, which I called out in my answer. And yes, Kreo is no longer produced but is still around in second hand sets, and it is a well known brand, hence why I mentioned them.– Phil B.Sep 27, 2021 at 0:57