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Your concern has merit. A posting on a news group could most definately be
viewed a "prior art" and effectively prevent Lego from receiving a patent on
the design. And from some of the Lego history I have viewed on the web they
appear to be very patent-happy.
However, I am equally sure that the posting could not prevent Lego from
using the design. Unless the original author decided to patent the part
prior to Lego's use.
I'm rather disappointed with Lego these days as far as their Technic line
goes. I always thought the technic toys were supposed to be educational.
The designs were centered around a clear presentation of the design and
operation of common mechanisms and devices. This increased playability
because when builder had a strong understanding of the underlying principles
when he completed the main model. This understanding made the builder
confident enough to reuse this new knowledge in her own designs.
I don't see this in recent designs. The models are more toy-like than
before, and contrary to superficial logic and initial assumptions I think
this decreases their playability. As a toy car, a $15 radio controlled
cheapie is much more fun to play with than the Silver Champion (which I
think is the worst model Lego has ever made). Bionicle, roboriders, and
throwbots are slightly better toys, but there is nothing technical about
them. Their inclusion as part of technic has to be their use of some
technic parts (I think my RIS had some 2x4 plates in it. Does that mean it
should be grouped with System?)
I guess what I am trying to say is that concentrating on what new parts Lego
should release is wrong thinking. We should push Lego towards more
interesting (and educational) technic models. When the models get better,
the new and interesting parts will follow. I better stop right here. I
just deleted about 6 paragraphs of ranting that has me questioning my own
sanity.
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