 | | Re: check this out! (the things ya do at work eh? :P)
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(...) On the other hand, they make new molds all the time (often for the most unlikely parts that can only have a very limited range of uses). They would certainly save on R&D for a re-release. I'm not sure about the volumes. Some toys like teddy (...) (24 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.loc.au)
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| | Re: check this out! (the things ya do at work eh? :P)
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(...) While that's true, TLC would not be able to "re patent" the design (patents are only good for 25 years iirc). They can patent new pieces, and this stops evil clone brands copying the current sets (and explains why evil clone brand sets tend to (...) (24 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.loc.au)
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| | Re: check this out! (the things ya do at work eh? :P)
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As far as I was aware, you cannot patent a design, you can only patent a process. The designs have a copyright, instead. So the brick's design is copyrighted, the method of making the brick is patented. What do other people know about patents? (...) (24 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.loc.au)
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| | Re: check this out! (the things ya do at work eh? :P)
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(...) The term used is "method of manufacture" which is not necessarily a 'process' and can (and does) include products, processes, and methods. Lego *does* hold patents in his bricks. A search of Lugnet will yield some details. For instance: US (...) (24 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.loc.au)
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| | Re: check this out! (the things ya do at work eh? :P)
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(...) I believe that what lego brick designs are covered under is a "design patent" (24 years ago, 6-Apr-01, to lugnet.loc.au)
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