Brickadier General Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 So I was looking around on e-bay and came across this auction. Here's a pic for the lazies: Now, you might look at this and think it doesn't count as a counterfeit because it is a military theme that Lego never did. However, I look at anything that copies any Lego piece, other than more basic blocks, as a counterfeiter. The minifig design here is an obvious rip-off which is nothing new. But look at the vehicle...the mudguards, the modified plate w/ bar on the open door, and the 6 wide "hood piece" on the roof. Now those are very recent parts. So how'd they get their hands on the molds so soon? This looks like it might be enlighten, but I'm not all that sure. I think I'll buy one to satisfy my curiosity. I have been writing an article on counterfeit Lego anyway. Quote
Nyundi Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 I have been writing an article on counterfeit Lego anyway. I'll be interested to read that! Personally, my take on counterfeit Legos is one of idle curiosity, but not much more. I don't have any interest in them, being a purist and a collector. And I also don't see them as being any sort of financial threat to Lego (they'll likely never have the widespread exposure of Lego or the knockoff brands). If we take Lego's word for it that the majority of its sales still come from parents/guardians to children, then it seems unlikely to me that counterfeits available online only are going to extract much market share from something that can be found while browsing in a local toy store. However, you do bring up a good point: how do they get their hands on new molds so quickly?! Quote
zouave Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Here's a pic for the lazies: How'd you know I was a lazy? :-D This looks like a mix between the ambulance and the new lego natzis. So far there are zero bids. That's good. Quote
Brickadier General Posted January 25, 2008 Author Posted January 25, 2008 I'll be interested to read that!Personally, my take on counterfeit Legos is one of idle curiosity, but not much more. I don't have any interest in them, being a purist and a collector. And I also don't see them as being any sort of financial threat to Lego (they'll likely never have the widespread exposure of Lego or the knockoff brands). If we take Lego's word for it that the majority of its sales still come from parents/guardians to children, then it seems unlikely to me that counterfeits available online only are going to extract much market share from something that can be found while browsing in a local toy store. However, you do bring up a good point: how do they get their hands on new molds so quickly?! I sent Joe Meno a rough draft of my article about 3 weeks ago but haven't heard from him yet. I guess he's pretty bogged down. And I do agree with you to a point. They are not much of a threat to Lego, at least in the Western world. But I can see them as a threat to Lego sales in Asia. In China, counterfeit sets are far cheaper alternatives to Lego. How'd you know I was a lazy? :-D Telepathy. :-P wow that is fast 8- Quote
Hinckley Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Those parts have actually been around for a couple of years. This is the first set I remember them coming up in: 7245 Prisoner Transport That's plenty of time to copy a mold. If they had Dwarves' helmets or Anakin's hair, that'd make me worry, but pieces that have been out for three years don't surprise me that they've been copied. Don't get me wrong, it sucks, but I'm not surprised. Quote
zouave Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 As a comparison, what does the two face van look like? Telepathy. :-P Careful, my friend tried that on me and now when he closes his eyes he sees a Mario running around collecting stars. Quote
PSPguy Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Just to let you know thats Bestlock not Enlighten. Quote
hollisbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 that actually looks pretty kool :-/ not bad for a clone brand i'd buy that if it was lego Quote
Starwars4J Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 If you're doing one on clone brands, you might enjoy this review I did on an oxford set awhile ago. *wub* Oxford, the quality is as high as, or even higher than LEGO Quote
hollisbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 If you're doing one on clone brands, you might enjoy this review I did on an oxford set awhile ago. *wub* Oxford, the quality is as high as, or even higher than LEGO thanks, that also is pretty good for a clone brand, not as good as lego of course :-P Quote
RupeeClock Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Look at this look at this: A logo and text has been Paint-ed away under Ambulance Corps and above NO. 6032 Well maybe it sounds weird but if i am interested in anything, it's the cloak of edited images. I couldn't find an original image anywhere, somebody ?? - Rupee Quote
Shadows Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 With production moving to new countries, expect to see more of this. New employees with no real company loyalty may take an opportunity to make a quick buck helping out a competitor. It's something LEGO needed to consider, but probably didn't. It takes months to build up enough inventory of a set to release it, so they are being produced long before we see them on the shelves. During that time, a shady competitor pays a few bucks to the right person and they have one for their own purposes. That's where it gets tricky though. I read something about the casting process once (may have had to do with the Castle line) that indicated that they can't simply take an old part and make a new mold from it. It's why the monorail line died, supposedly. It all has to do with having to produce the part some percentage larger than the desired result, to account for some kind of shrinkage during the process. What that means in this situation is that it shouldn't be possible to take a part off the shelf and reproduce it exactly, yet they seem to be managing exactly that. Are they literally sculpting their own originals or somehow getting official molds? Ultimately, LEGO seems to have serious security issues to address, and until then, we may see more and more fakes, including very recent parts (though these aren't shocking). Quote
Hinckley Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 I have questions: Are they going to shove the sick man in to the side of the ambulance? Is there room for him in there? How will they get him over? It looks like that man will pick him up and toss him. Why isn't the other guy helping? Why is the other guy sleeping? Is he sleeping in a nativity? Or is that supposed to be a tent? Oh, it's a hospital tent, I suppose. Does the IV really work? How did the man get hurt? Did he trip? There doesn't seem to be a battle going on. Did he pass out from heat exhaustion? Was it an aneurysm? Anyone know? Quote
hollisbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 (edited) I have questions: Are they going to shove the sick man in to the side of the ambulance? Is there room for him in there? How will they get him over? It looks like that man will pick him up and toss him. Why isn't the other guy helping? Why is the other guy sleeping? Is he sleeping in a nativity? Or is that supposed to be a tent? Oh, it's a hospital tent, I suppose. Does the IV really work? How did the man get hurt? Did he trip? There doesn't seem to be a battle going on. Did he pass out from heat exhaustion? Was it an aneurysm? Anyone know? X-D lol very very funny, i'd say 1. yes probly (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 2. Probably not (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 3. lol probably (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 4. Cause he is a lazy clone brand fig X-D (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 5. See answer above 6 Whats a nativity? (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 7. I have noo idea (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 8. I'd say it is, a very bad contructed one at that (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 9. See answer below 10. Probably (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 11. Probably running to loose wait to make the cut as a fig :-P (wouldn't happen if it was lego) 12. Whats that 8-| (wouldn't happen if it was lego) *wacko* Edit: I edited all my lazy mistakes, just for you I.S. Edited January 25, 2008 by hollisbrick Quote
Shadows Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 X-D lol very very funny, i'd say 1. yes probly (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P)2. probly not (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ;-) ) 3. lol probly (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ;-) ) 4. cause he is a lazy clone brand fig X-D (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ) 5. see answer above 6 whats a nativity? (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ;-) ) 7. i have noo idea (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ;-) ) 8. i'd say it is, a very bad contructed one at that (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P) 9. see answer below 10.probly (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P ;-) ) 11. probly running to loose wait to make the cut as a fig :-P (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P) 12. whats thta 8-| (wouldnt happen if it was lego :-P) *wacko* Now I feel like I need a medic... Just for future reference: 1. While you may pronounce it as "probly", you'll probably find an alternate spelling advantageous. 2. "wouldnt" needs an apostrophe ... I wouldn't be caught dead without one. 3. I really think that i am important enough to capitalize. 4. The emoticon limit isn't a recommended usage amount, it's a maximum usage amount. Just to prove point 4, I couldn't even put a winky face at the end of this to show that I'm gently kidding you... YOU USED THEM ALL UP! (and now I don't have room for the angry face, followed by sticking out my tongue). Nice. (I'd roll my eyes here, but as we've already covered ...) Quote
hollisbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 (edited) X-D :-$ i'm sorry i'm just in a really lazy mood.. I'm no longer in a lazy mood so I edited my post.. Edited January 25, 2008 by hollisbrick Quote
Shadows Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 X-D :-$ i'm sorry i'm just in a really lazy mood..I'm no longer in a lazy mood so I edited my post.. Much nicer! It's gone from a clone post to a good quality post with just a few adjustments. *y* Quote
Batbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Much nicer! It's gone from a clone post to a good quality post with just a few adjustments. *y* Uh oh, the powers of being a fellow have gone to his head! X-O :-P That said, though I am not surprised at clone brands copying Lego in a lot of degrees, I am rather surprised to see so many pieces and variations that have been ripped off here. I mean, seriously, clone brand or not, you have to have some kind of imagination :-/ Batbrick Something! *wacko* Quote
hollisbrick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 (edited) Uh oh, the powers of being a fellow have gone to his head! X-O :-P That said, though I am not surprised at clone brands copying Lego in a lot of degrees, I am rather surprised to see so many pieces and variations that have been ripped off here. I mean, seriously, clone brand or not, you have to have some kind of imagination :-/ Batbrick Something! *wacko* X-D it has hasn't it, anyway congradulations with being one, just noticed that you are one now *y* Edited January 25, 2008 by hollisbrick Quote
Shadows Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 Uh oh, the powers of being a fellow have gone to his head! X-O :-P Nah, I've been harassing Staudie about his spelling and grammar (or lack thereof ;-) ) for ages, nothing new there. :-P X-D it has hasn't it, anyway congradulations with being one, just noticed that you are one now *y* Thanks :-$ Quote
natelite Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 i'm not so worried about the sale of these blocks. i'm more worried about these counterfeit blocks passing off as genuine lego blocks. it's quite possible for some ebay sellers to substitute parts with counterfeit blocks and passing the HTF sets as complete when perhaps some of the more pricier blocks are substitutes. Quote
Hinckley Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 6 Whats a nativity? (wouldn't happen if it was lego)12. Whats that 8-| (wouldn't happen if it was lego) *wacko* Edit: I edited all my lazy mistakes, just for you I.S. Speaking of lazy, don't you kiddies know what a search engine is? Quote
Cardinal Brick Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 That's where it gets tricky though. I read something about the casting process once (may have had to do with the Castle line) that indicated that they can't simply take an old part and make a new mold from it. It's why the monorail line died, supposedly. It all has to do with having to produce the part some percentage larger than the desired result, to account for some kind of shrinkage during the process. What that means in this situation is that it shouldn't be possible to take a part off the shelf and reproduce it exactly, yet they seem to be managing exactly that. Are they literally sculpting their own originals or somehow getting official molds? Ultimately, LEGO seems to have serious security issues to address, and until then, we may see more and more fakes, including very recent parts (though these aren't shocking). It depends how they make their molds I surpose, if the scan it or remake the part from life in a CADA program and then just have the mold cut from the CAD problem it wouldn't take long at all. I doubt if Lego is ever going to be able to protect itself against thing's like this. With the Open-source Replicator project becoming popular it'll be even easier for people to copy parts (though at a lower quality) though it might allow us to make some parts we've always wanted so there are pros and cons to it. Quote
Capn Frank Posted January 25, 2008 Posted January 25, 2008 (edited) Did someone say Medic? It's the promo medic dude to show off some new asseccories getting made by brickarms. Here are a couple of pics of 2 faces van: And for comparison, here's the clone van: The trucks are the same dimensions and very similar. One question i have to add to Hinckley's list is what on earth does that thing on top of the van shoot? *wacko* P Edited January 25, 2008 by phred Quote
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