jngunsw Posted July 4, 2005 Posted July 4, 2005 I hv noticed that the 8654 Scuderia Ferrari Truck released this yr is remarkably similar to a race truck that was released by Megabloks the yr before.... http://shop.lego.com/product.asp?p=8654&cn=196&d=9&t=4 (lego) http://www.megabloks.com/en/products/descr...ID=202&subCat=1 (megabloks) furthermore... one can argue, to some extent, that the creatures that we see in the coming Viking series (the serpent n the dragons etc), could hv been inspired by similar themes in the Megabloks classic dragon series.... megabloks is renowned for its weird creatures - like the double headed dragons etc.... so.... could this be a fight back by lego by giving megabloks a dose of their own medicine? ok... this is my conspiracy comment of the day :^D Quote
The Middleman Posted July 4, 2005 Posted July 4, 2005 I'm pretty sure the Ferrari truck is just LEGO miliking the Scuderia license to its fullest. As far as Vikings, evil beasts of all kinds have been popular forever with kids, and the beasts are legendary Norse beings. So, I don't see a conspiracy there either. Quote
jngunsw Posted July 4, 2005 Author Posted July 4, 2005 Those copying scum!Lego is BEST!!!!! in term of quality lego is galaxy ahead of you-know-who.... i still hv lego bricks that i own 10 yrs ago and they are still in re-useable condition.... I can't imagine the same can be said about my mega blokes stuff.... i only hv one set (bcos it has an innovative dragon figure that can "breath" - i hv to take my hat off to them to come up with something like that) and it's v likely that it will remain the only set i own.... in regard to the issue of "copying" .... i think it's just a widespread business practice.... intellectual property rights are always difficult and expensive to enforce.... the question is whether you copy the "smart' way or ..... i must admit there are times when i am tempted to buy megabloks.... (i hv to give them credits for having a go at the market that lego is insufficient or unwilling to fulfill- like the military theme n the monsters etc....) but i always remember the quality of their bricks is just not worth it.... it's v difficult to modify the megabloks sets.... anyway.... lego is still the one..... for the time being at least ;) Quote
jngunsw Posted July 4, 2005 Author Posted July 4, 2005 As far as Vikings, evil beasts of all kinds have been popular forever with kids, and the beasts are legendary Norse beings. So, I don't see a conspiracy there either. fair enough comment BJ... Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 4, 2005 Governor Posted July 4, 2005 in term of quality lego is galaxy ahead of you-know-who.... i still hv lego bricks that i own 10 yrs ago and they are still in re-useable condition.... I expect my LEGO bricks to be reusable in 30 years time! Which doesn't sound too unreasonable since I've got some nearing the 25 year mark. But will the latest LEGO bricks last that long? These <insert that tiresome argument> pieces might have a shorter life span. Quote
jngunsw Posted July 4, 2005 Author Posted July 4, 2005 in term of quality lego is galaxy ahead of you-know-who.... i still hv lego bricks that i own 10 yrs ago and they are still in re-useable condition.... I expect my LEGO bricks to be reusable in 30 years time! Which doesn't sound too unreasonable since I've got some nearing the 25 year mark. But will the latest LEGO bricks last that long? These <insert that tiresome argument> pieces might have a shorter life span. 30 years!!! well if they do last that looooooong..... then u hv got value for yr $$$$..... as for the new lego pieces.... time will tell whether they r as good as the old ones.... mind you.... with the extensive use of labelling these days.... i think they will hv a shorter life span.... btw i really want to buy the Scuderia Ferrari Truck... but the sheer amount of labelling just turn me off.... they r just pain in the neck..... not simply not as good as the paint ones Quote
snefroe Posted July 4, 2005 Posted July 4, 2005 i think, pirate, that we're not addressing the quality of lego plastics. lego has been awarded for producing the best plastic product of the 20th century, if i'm not mistaken. there's no discussion on that... i believe jngunsw's remark was on copying models, this time copied by TLC. i think it's not a surprise to see extremely similar products from different companies. there are many companies in different economic sectors who are producing very similar stuff, like shampoo, lotions, medecins,... the world of toys is really no exception... it's also not a surprise to see TLC copying others. no doubt, they've done this before... we just don't know about it... these things happen all the time... However, what strikes me in jngunsw's example is the concept of the set: there is one large truck and a race car in both sets and they're even presented in the same way... it suggests that both companies are fishing for the same customer and they're not afraid to copy each other's work, not just an idea for a set, but entire sets... Quote
jngunsw Posted July 4, 2005 Author Posted July 4, 2005 i believe jngunsw's remark was on copying models, this time copied by TLC.what strikes me in jngunsw's example is the concept of the set: there is one large truck and a race car in both sets and they're even presented in the same way... it suggests that both companies are fishing for the same customer and they're not afraid to copy each other's work, not just an idea for a set, but entire sets... very well said snefroe1 ... straight to the point and thanks for bringing us back to the original topic... :$ Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 i think, pirate, that we're not addressing the quality of lego plastics. lego has been awarded for producing the best plastic product of the 20th century, if i'm not mistaken. there's no discussion on that... You're right historian, its not the quality of plastics we're discussing. That's just a minor deviation I threw in because I'm evil! But you say "LEGO has been awarded for producing the best plastic product of the 20th century" (if you're not mistaken). Now I'm unless I'm mistaken its the 21st century and things at LEGO are a bit different, namely the specialised pieces and stickers. For some reason I can't see stickers on used second hand sets being in good condition in years time, if these sets have been frequently played with at some point. But to make this more relevant: Does MegaBloks also use stickers on its sets? If so, was this before or after LEGO first began using them? Quote
Mr. Lego-builder Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 It doesn't look good in LEGO's point of view, as LEGO stickers began widely appearing in the early 1970's. And MegaBloks were officially launched in 1985. So technically, LEGO began using stickers first. Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 I haven't seen many stickers in past sets besides the Canoes from the Islander sets. All the others have been printed on the bricks. I've read lately that stickers have become more widely used like in the sets Ferarri and similiar model like sets. Quote
Mr. Lego-builder Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 LEGO often uses stickers in sets for details, instead of using real LEGO elements for details or greeblies. Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 Yes, so I've read. But I thought this was a more recent trend, for in the past LEGO used to print directly onto the bricks. So it didn't matter if they got wet so much, but over time they're prone to fading and scratching off. But I'm thinking with a SYSTEM based mentality here. I don't know what was going on in Technic or any other type of LEGO 10-20 years ago. Quote
Mr. Lego-builder Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 I mean, take a look at TECHNIC sets and pieces...they have holes for those TECHNIC pins and axles. Therefore, because of those holes, there is not any printing here. However, on pieces that have smoother surfaces with little or no holes, there is printing. Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 Indeed I realise this to be so, however, I was referring to peel off stickers which are later applied to the bricks as opposed to having the printed directly onto the bricks. Surely these "applied stickers" aren't going to be as durable and lasting as a "printed brick" - therefore LEGO's recent (I'm sure its within the past 5-7 years) trend to using "applied" stickers" is going to compromise the quality of their sets in the future. The stickers just won't last like the printed bricks. But on the upside it gives the builder the choice to whether they want to use stickers or leave the bricks how they are... Quote
xwingyoda Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 Just to be a little off topic here, I really wished Lego would copy the Playmobil sets ;) They have great themes and great sets (look at their city, pirates and vikings :oD ) !!!!!!! Also Playmobil gained a lot of shelfplace in toy stores and their line stayed old school !!!! I have the impression that they never really evolved since I was a kid !!! Quote
ApophisV Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 Just to be a little off topic here, I really wished Lego would copy the Playmobil sets ;) They have great themes and great sets (look at their city, pirates and vikings :oD ) !!!!!!! Also Playmobil gained a lot of shelfplace in toy stores and their line stayed old school !!!! I have the impression that they never really evolved since I was a kid !!! Oh, they did! Their figs, furnitures, accessories and such stuff became more and more detailed (wish we had such cool things from lego...) and they also have this "new" system for buildings. You don't put complete walls of a house together anymore, but you have several panels and small blocks and such which connect together in many many cool ways. I once made a cool looking train station and a train bridge out of an orient palace for my sister some years ago... This new connection system is really awesome! Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 If I have my information correct, Playmobil had Pirate sets in the mid 80's before LEGO. So LEGO copied in that respect. And in the past couple of years they've began releasing more Pirate sets. So it would be really good if LEGO could copy them again! Quote
Mr. Lego-builder Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 Hahaha. I like this thread actually. It reveals how LEGO also copies its competitors instead of the usual thread of pointing out how its competitors copy LEGO. And we have facts to prove it. I repeat, this is a very good thread. Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 One could argue that every idea that could possibly be concieved has already been concieved by someone, somewhere, in some form, documented or not... The other week I found a LEGO like castle dating back to the 60's or 70's which definitely pre-dates any LEGO Castle. Check it out here: 1960's/1970's NON LEGO Castle Quote
xwingyoda Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 True Phes !!!!! Pirates and Dinos are really kid appealling !!!!!!! What kid never had some of those themes toys I wonder !!! So in that respect I'm not sure we can use the term copy !!!!! I would rather use theme inspired by competitors because those themes are generic ideas !!!! Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 It also depends what is meant by "copy" Does copy imply that the idea is copied? Does copy imply that the design has been copied? Does copy imply that the sets are indentical in every respect? It could mean all those things, couldn't it? Quote
chewie Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 playmobil i think is very cool other then it being more <insert that tiresome argument> but there pirate stuff was awsome i myself enjoyed playmobil untill i started with lego which was a while anyways and aobu the stickers there quality alredy can be crap the stickers on my sopwith camel are horrible they started to peel and they cant be re-stuck back on Quote
Governor Mister Phes Posted July 6, 2005 Governor Posted July 6, 2005 Chewie has indentified the concern I've been attempting to address! Had the bricks been directly printed onto this wouldn't be so much of a problem. Does anybody know if MegaBloks uses stickers or do they print directly to their bricks? Quote
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