TLG shifting stance on brand licenses?

[Blondie-Wan]

I know the Licensed forum is generally used for discussing themes and sets based on licensed characters and narratives, but TLG also incorporates real-world corporate brands into its sets, which presumably have to be licensed as well, and I guess this is as good a place as any...

Anyway, in the past they've had a lot of sets with elements printed with names, logos, trademarks, etc. of other real-world companies, such as Shell, Exxon and so on, but my understanding was that several years ago they adopted a new policy of not printing other companies' marks on their trademark bricks, and so went to using exclusively stickers for all instances of other, outside real-world brands that would be referenced in sets (such as Shell again, VW, Toys 'R' Us, Panagra, etc.). However, in the last couple years there have been a few other elements printed or even molded with trademarked names / logos of other companies - Toys 'R' Us (on one of the 2009 "Bricktober" promo bricks), Target (printed on bricks in the Target gift card sets from both last year and this one), and VW (actually molded into the front of the Fillmore figure / vehicle in one of the DUPLO Cars sets). Has the policy fallen by the wayside? If not, why do we have these exceptions?

[Aanchir]

I know the Licensed forum is generally used for discussing themes and sets based on licensed characters and narratives, but TLG also incorporates real-world corporate brands into its sets, which presumably have to be licensed as well, and I guess this is as good a place as any...

Anyway, in the past they've had a lot of sets with elements printed with names, logos, trademarks, etc. of other real-world companies, such as Shell, Exxon and so on, but my understanding was that several years ago they adopted a new policy of not printing other companies' marks on their trademark bricks, and so went to using exclusively stickers for all instances of other, outside real-world brands that would be referenced in sets (such as Shell again, VW, Toys 'R' Us, Panagra, etc.). However, in the last couple years there have been a few other elements printed or even molded with trademarked names / logos of other companies - Toys 'R' Us (on one of the 2009 "Bricktober" promo bricks), Target (printed on bricks in the Target gift card sets from both last year and this one), and VW (actually molded into the front of the Fillmore figure / vehicle in one of the DUPLO Cars sets). Has the policy fallen by the wayside? If not, why do we have these exceptions?

You make a good point. It does seem like that policy has changed somewhat.

[TheDarkBrick]

I'm glad they aren't very strict on their policy MORE PRINTED PIECES! WOO-HOO!!!

[chuckie8646]

Personally I wish they would get rid of stickers all together because i never get them on straight so i would be well pleased to see many more printed bricks so my models look more professional lol

thats just my opinion

Charlie

[The Batman]

Personally I wish they would get rid of stickers all together because i never get them on straight

I totally agree with you there 'chuckie', but I doubt that Lego will ever get rid of the stickers !!!

You aswell, I must have the most trembling hands I've ever seen, there's no chance I'd ever get a sticker on ........ stright!!

[wokajablocka]

I totally agree with you there 'chuckie', but I doubt that Lego will ever get rid of the stickers !!!

You aswell, I must have the most trembling hands I've ever seen, there's no chance I'd ever get a sticker on ........ stright!!

Your right Batman, Lego will never stop using stickers. They are a much cheaper way to produce desired prints with out jacking the price of set up by making them all printed. Stickers vs Printing both have their strong and weak points (but can carry on about Stickers vs print in another thread).

We have more an more sets comming with other company logos and Im for one to say yeah, as long as its not putting the price of sets up too much. Lego would have to pay some sort of commission to use their trade marks which in turn dose raise set prices.