What can be called a MOC?

[Full Plate]

Hi!

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I couldn't find an answer after searching around for a bit.

My question is about what is considered a MOC. I'm currently making a build with my son where he insists on us including a tyrannosaurus rex head from a lego set he has (31024) slightly modified to be a dragon. Would this build still qualify as a MOC, or is it considered something else? Should I just not call it a MOC and not use a [MOC] tag in the subject, or can I still call it a MOC and clarify that that particular part is not our own design?

In case it is not considered a MOC, my followup question would be about using minifig setups from lego sets. Do they also render a build to not be a MOC? I suspect they don't, from what I have seen, but it doesn't seem to be too far a stretch from the scenario mentioned above.

And finally, what about builds you've created with heavy inspiration from tutorials and/or other builders? I believe a community like this thrives on sharing and learning from each other, but there is a line between being inspired by something, and pure plagiarism. And where along this scale does a build stop being a MOC? Is it ok to call your build a MOC and give credit where it's due, or would it be too presumptuous to even call it a MOC? It's not that I want to toe the line, I just want to know where it is so I can stay clear of it.

Ok, that was long, and again sorry if this has already been answered.

Thanks!

Edited May 7, 2015 by Full Plate

[Covi]

The word itself says it "My own creation".

So yes, when you alter a T-Rex into a dragon you can call this a MOC. A MOC uses all kind of parts.

If it's inspired or not, something still can be a MOC.

The thin line is where you have a MOC of someone else and you rebuild it almost exactly the same with some parts altered...then it's called a MOD.

But I think everything is just fine as long as you make something with your own creativity.

And there's no harm in putting which other MOC you inspired you or give credit to another person for the idea.

It's not done when you just make a copy of someone's MOC and may it look as it's yours.

[bacem]

to put it simply, as long as the overall end result looks different from the official sets, it's an MOC.

[Peppermint_M]

It is always good practice to say if another's MOC gave you ideas for your own also. If someone builds, say a truck and you like it, so you build a truck. If you build it a lot like the truck you saw, it would be sporting to say that you built it like the first MOC-ist for whatever reason. There are a lot of "coincidental copies" so if you build something and someone else says it looks like another's MOC then it isn't important. But credit where credit is due in instances where you did knowingly copy else it is plagiarism and bad taste in a friendly community.

Much luck with MOCing, it is so rewarngding to build with kids. Not only do they dismiss any "rules" but they usually learn quickly. My little brother (I say little, he is 14 now...) would love to build along with me and playing with my friend's kids. Well, I sat and built things on my own and in a few minutes they had left the instruction booklets and were making their own things.

[Martend]

Everything what is not designed by Lego, Is a MOC for me. A copy of a MOC is just that, a copy. Pretending you designed something is lame.

However drawing inspiration from excisting builds and other sources is encouraged, to learn, explore and eventually make your own creation :)

Sharing MOC's and Ideas is something I really believe in, it helps others to become better builders, who eventually will give back to the Lego community.

M

[Full Plate]

Thank you all for the clarifications :)

[GallardoLU]

Also along these lines are MODs kind of obvious what those are but in case it isn't they are simply official sets that have been altered and improved. the bulk of the model still being Lego design but usually finishing details improved. (if extensive changes were made some of these push into the realm of actual MOCs, this is the only grey area I can think of in our naming scheme)

[nerdsforprez]

I think some can get lost in the meaning of building with LEGO. It is a hobby for most, but for some a profession. Some a means of release whereas for others it is means of identity. I say this because most will approach questions such as the OPs with a relaxed, friendly approach. Their definition will be like many posted above "as long as it is different than an original (i.e. original LEGO set or MOC of someone elses, then you are good to go). Others, particularly those that use building with LEGO as a means of identity, will take things a little further, and will be more stringent with their criteria. They will debate the nuances of MOCs versus MODs like scientists debating classification systems. I certainly agree with the more relaxed approach. I think the thing to consider is: can it be considered a MY own creation? or simply a modification from someone else's work? I think that with enough tinkering things do eventually become one's own work. Examples:

below is a modifcation I did of LEGO 8070. I say modification b/c I only modified some things, and I think it too closley resembles the original to be called my own.

However, also below is another build I did. Although looks like the original 8110, I think has so many changes that it is a MOC. None else, that I know of, exists like it and therefore I call it my own. Check out my MOCpages for details. On the 8110 build, there is much more than meets the eye in terms of what it does.

[AmperZand]

When does a MOD become a MOC? That's a very hard question to answer and similar to one that philosophers have been wrestling with for thousands of years known as the ship of Theseus problem. It's not just an academic concern though: legal experts have struggled with it in relation to intellectual property rights.

I don't think there is a line that neatly defines what is a MOD or a MOC. Rather, there are poles with creations that are entirely original at one end and exact duplications of the works of others (including TLG-designed sets) at the other. What lies between these two extremes is a fuzzy set.