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Posted

This question is mainly for the administrators.

I am a little concerned about my use of the site http://lego.brickinstructions.com/. I understand its use of the word Lego in its URL (but not in its actual title) might be against 'fair play' rules. My biggest concern, however, regards the sites very purpose, which is making Lego set instructions from the 1960s to the very newest sets available for free online. Even though Lego does this themselves for sets going back to 2002, Brick Instructions is not endorsed by them, and is more easily viewable. So far, I have used Brick Instructions in several buying decisions, as the basis for at least two MOCs, and to recreate the old set in my avatar. Have I actually been using pirated instructions? And are MOC's based (partly) on online instructions for sets I never actually bought acceptable on this site?

Also, I have some custom printed bricks from FireStar Toys. Are these acceptable in MOC's on this site, or would the use of them get the MOCs moved to the Community forum?

Posted

Although I can't comment on the legality of the instructions, I can tell you that there should not be a problem with posting MOCs that use custom parts. Lots of people, including myself, use things like Brickarms when building, so as far as I'm aware you shouldn't have any problems with that.

Posted

I'm under the impression that TLG is not particularly bothered by the fact that instructions for decade-old models are available for free online as long as it increases interest in their product. I don't see an issue at all with a MOC (or a Mod) based on a classic LEGO set. Feel free to post your creation in the appropriate forum.

Posted

I agree with Rick: let's not make problems where there are none. TLG has very able legal service which would have already intervened if it would bother them that much. And you, as user, will certainly not be hold responsible, if you download something.

Only thing which could really be a problem is use of "lego" in its url (it's not used as site name on site itself), but that's the problem (and responsibility)of site owner.

As for instructions themself: most of the new ones (originating from TLG) are just links to files hosted on lego.com. Several sites use this (including brickset) and TLG never complained.

Older instructions are just scans from printed instruction booklets. I suspect they come from another site, which had been collecting and hosting those for long time, but this is something between owners of both sites. I checked several scanned instructions and none seem to have copyright marked on them, so it should (again) be ok to scan and host them.

Only things, which could be problematic, are LEGO idea books. Those were sold as separate poroduct and do have copyright marked on them. I dont know if those are still valid, but I 'm pretty sure that TLG's legal service will take care of that.

I'm of course in no way speaking officialy for TLG.

Posted

I can say even more, TLG, at least CEE part of it, is already aware of your site. Check the post and link to Excel file on Brickset. And then there is this site with same data (or even more).

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