Lego Called a Ruthless Monopolist
Lego Called a Ruthless Monopolist
LOS ANGELES (CN) - A competing toy company claims Lego uses underhanded tactics to stay top dog in construction toys, and misled U.S. Customs to block importation of its closest rival's products.
In a federal antitrust complaint, Mega Brands, of Canada, says Lego falsely claimed "exclusive rights to the functional cylindrical stud element that is commonly used in construction blocks," even though courts have ruled that Lego "cannot re-monopolize a once patented invention under the guise of trademark law."
"Mega Brands brings this action to stop Lego's illegal efforts to monopolize the construction toy market through illegal anti-competitive practices including, but not limited to, use of fraudulently obtained IP [intellectual property] rights to interfere with Mega Brands' right to continue to import certain competitive products into the United States," the complaint states.
Mega Brands and Mega Brands America sued Lego Juris A/S and Lego Group.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/01/18/43127.htm