|
 |
| | | Author: | infinibrix  | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 07:54 | | Subject: | ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 216 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | crazylegoman | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 08:48 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 82 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| This is great news! For a while I would report several listing a day, but ebay
didn't do anything about them, so I stopped. I assume the LEGO legal team's
efforts are finally paying off.
David
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | zorbanj | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 09:46 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 67 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| Just did a couple of LOTR minifig searches and it looks like you're right.
What a difference!
In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | BricksterXD | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 11:36 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 58 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
The only negative result of this is that products produced that are used in conjunction
with Lego, for example Brickarms products - some of their listings have been
taken down under the counterfeit policy.
I'm not sure what the feeling towards Brickarms products are, but I personally
have an affinity for them.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 12:06 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 56 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, BricksterXD writes:
| | In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
The only negative result of this is that products produced that are used in conjunction
with Lego, for example Brickarms products - some of their listings have been
taken down under the counterfeit policy.
I'm not sure what the feeling towards Brickarms products are, but I personally
have an affinity for them.
|
There still seems to be many lots for custom capes on there. capes4minifigs (UK)
has loads of items still, some are genuinely custom (as in LEGO doesn't make
them in the shape/colour combination) while others are fakes (as in LEGO does
make them in that shape/colour combination). There are other sellers still with
custom weapons and so on. A lot of these still get away with using the word LEGO
even though they are not genuine LEGO. No doubt the fake (copied) minifigures
will be back at some stage just with slightly different wording to get round
being pulled, such as leaving off "LEGO" but including "minifigure".
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 12:18 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, yorbrick writes:
| | In General, BricksterXD writes:
| | In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
The only negative result of this is that products produced that are used in conjunction
with Lego, for example Brickarms products - some of their listings have been
taken down under the counterfeit policy.
I'm not sure what the feeling towards Brickarms products are, but I personally
have an affinity for them.
|
There still seems to be many lots for custom capes on there. capes4minifigs (UK)
has loads of items still, some are genuinely custom (as in LEGO doesn't make
them in the shape/colour combination) while others are fakes (as in LEGO does
make them in that shape/colour combination). There are other sellers still with
custom weapons and so on. A lot of these still get away with using the word LEGO
even though they are not genuine LEGO. No doubt the fake (copied) minifigures
will be back at some stage just with slightly different wording to get round
being pulled, such as leaving off "LEGO" but including "minifigure".
|
Also if you look at some genuine LEGO listings, ebay also suggests other similar
items just below the description - including items that do not use the words
LEGO anywhere in the title or description but just happen to look very much
like LEGO. A buyer's eye will be attracted to non-LEGO listings that way.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Author: | infinibrix | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 15:09 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 77 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, yorbrick writes:
| | In General, BricksterXD writes:
| | In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
The only negative result of this is that products produced that are used in conjunction
with Lego, for example Brickarms products - some of their listings have been
taken down under the counterfeit policy.
I'm not sure what the feeling towards Brickarms products are, but I personally
have an affinity for them.
|
There still seems to be many lots for custom capes on there. capes4minifigs (UK)
has loads of items still, some are genuinely custom (as in LEGO doesn't make
them in the shape/colour combination) while others are fakes (as in LEGO does
make them in that shape/colour combination). There are other sellers still with
custom weapons and so on. A lot of these still get away with using the word LEGO
even though they are not genuine LEGO. No doubt the fake (copied) minifigures
will be back at some stage just with slightly different wording to get round
being pulled, such as leaving off "LEGO" but including "minifigure".
|
To be honest I really don’t think it matters what sellers try to do to get around
it because if a potential customer can find their listings so can ebay and yet
the big difference now is that ebay is actually removing counterfeit listings
whereas prior to that nothing was being done at all. I think the hassle of trying
to sell counterfeits will soon outweigh any gains
As to why the custom capes remain is less clear but it may just be that ebay
consider them a form of creative crafting/accessorising for Lego rather than
counterfeiting which I think many others would agree?? The same may be true for
Brickarms but because they are made of plastic I think ebay see this as a lot
more problematic which may explain why they’ve been forced to remove the word
Lego. Fortunately for Brickarms they've already become well established enough
not to need to rely so heavilly on the word Lego to be found. Without the word
Lego I don't think ebay could do anything about them anyway? After all they
are simply plastic toy guns that have little resemblance to any of Legos actual
designs
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | Author: | BricksterXD | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 06:34 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 48 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, infinibrix writes:
| | In General, yorbrick writes:
| | In General, BricksterXD writes:
| | In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
The only negative result of this is that products produced that are used in conjunction
with Lego, for example Brickarms products - some of their listings have been
taken down under the counterfeit policy.
I'm not sure what the feeling towards Brickarms products are, but I personally
have an affinity for them.
|
There still seems to be many lots for custom capes on there. capes4minifigs (UK)
has loads of items still, some are genuinely custom (as in LEGO doesn't make
them in the shape/colour combination) while others are fakes (as in LEGO does
make them in that shape/colour combination). There are other sellers still with
custom weapons and so on. A lot of these still get away with using the word LEGO
even though they are not genuine LEGO. No doubt the fake (copied) minifigures
will be back at some stage just with slightly different wording to get round
being pulled, such as leaving off "LEGO" but including "minifigure".
|
To be honest I really don’t think it matters what sellers try to do to get around
it because if a potential customer can find their listings so can ebay and yet
the big difference now is that ebay is actually removing counterfeit listings
whereas prior to that nothing was being done at all. I think the hassle of trying
to sell counterfeits will soon outweigh any gains
As to why the custom capes remain is less clear but it may just be that ebay
consider them a form of creative crafting/accessorising for Lego rather than
counterfeiting which I think many others would agree?? The same may be true for
Brickarms but because they are made of plastic I think ebay see this as a lot
more problematic which may explain why they’ve been forced to remove the word
Lego. Fortunately for Brickarms they've already become well established enough
not to need to rely so heavilly on the word Lego to be found. Without the word
Lego I don't think ebay could do anything about them anyway? After all they
are simply plastic toy guns that have little resemblance to any of Legos actual
designs
|
I do sell a number of Brickarms products. The policy as I understand it now is
simply to not mention any other company or brand, including Lego. Which is perfectly
justified and fair.
|
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | runner.caller | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 12:22 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
This is good news, I actually thought they were going the opposite directions
with this based on the category name change.
I felt partially responisible for them changing the category from "lego minifigures"
to "building toys minifigures" cause I assumed eBay was tired of me reporting
so many listings on sellers who were using lego stock images to sell "custom"
knock-offs that were "just as good" under the "lego minifigures" category.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | peregrinator | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 12:43 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 45 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, runner.caller writes:
| | I felt partially responisible for them changing the category from "lego minifigures"
to "building toys minifigures" cause I assumed eBay was tired of me reporting
so many listings on sellers who were using lego stock images to sell "custom"
knock-offs that were "just as good" under the "lego minifigures" category.
|
I remember one listing I reported multiple times because it was Playmobil listed
as "lego minifigures"
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | rab1234 | | Posted: | Oct 1, 2021 23:14 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 40 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| Sounds like I’m not the only one who reports fakes. I’ve never used eBay, but
about once a week I’ll report 30 or 40 Facebook listings. Some think it’s not
illegal if they avoid saying lego, but a “Star Wars building toy figure” is just
as much a copyright violation.
In General, infinibrix writes:
| | Don't know whether Lego have finally forced ebays hand or not either way
it seems all those counterfeit minifigures have all but disappeared from the
site which can only be a good thing for here too!
Its strange that ebay have gone years without seeming to care to almost pulling
them off the site overnight?
It was'nt long ago that ebay would actively encourage these types of listing
as long as they were listed as 'Unbranded' instead of 'Lego'
whilst seemingly ignoring the fact that many sellers would get around this using
the term 'fits Lego' to ensure their items still appeared in the Lego
search results!
|
|
|
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | Author: | StickyBrickit | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 05:07 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 57 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| I'm wondering who actually buys the "custom" figures? Especially the ones
that are blatent copies of Lego themes....I would have thought most people who
collect Lego want the genuine article only? Certainly most AFOLs I know would
never buy fakes and generally look down upon anything that isn't pure unadulterated
Lego! 
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | infinibrix | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 05:20 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 51 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, StickyBrickit writes:
| | I'm wondering who actually buys the "custom" figures? Especially the ones
that are blatent copies of Lego themes....I would have thought most people who
collect Lego want the genuine article only? Certainly most AFOLs I know would
never buy fakes and generally look down upon anything that isn't pure unadulterated
Lego!
|
I'm pretty certain its usually parents buying for their kids who are either
non the wiser about them being counterfeit or just looking for a cheap alternative
for kids to play with
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | yorbrick | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 06:37 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 46 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, StickyBrickit writes:
| | I'm wondering who actually buys the "custom" figures? Especially the ones
that are blatent copies of Lego themes....I would have thought most people who
collect Lego want the genuine article only? Certainly most AFOLs I know would
never buy fakes and generally look down upon anything that isn't pure unadulterated
Lego!
|
I have a number of them although tend to go for ones lego didn't do, especially
Gondor and dwarf soldiers for LOTR/Hobbit. It is also useful to see what they
look like (and some are actually very good). They are also good if you want to
customise the parts, no point ruining a good genuine figure so I use poor used
figures or fakes.
Not that I'd buy them on ebay, cheaper to import from China.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | BricksterXD | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 06:38 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 65 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, StickyBrickit writes:
| | I'm wondering who actually buys the "custom" figures? Especially the ones
that are blatent copies of Lego themes....I would have thought most people who
collect Lego want the genuine article only? Certainly most AFOLs I know would
never buy fakes and generally look down upon anything that isn't pure unadulterated
Lego!
|
I think it's parents who either can't tell the difference or don't
care enough to distinguish between legitimate and counterfeit Lego.
When I was younger and attended primary school, it seemed I was the only one
who had any genuine Lego and all my classmates only had counterfeits. I'm
not sure why that was.
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | Author: | randyipp | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 14:08 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 61 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| In General, StickyBrickit writes:
| | I'm wondering who actually buys the "custom" figures? Especially the ones
that are blatent copies of Lego themes....I would have thought most people who
collect Lego want the genuine article only? Certainly most AFOLs I know would
never buy fakes and generally look down upon anything that isn't pure unadulterated
Lego!
|
I have bought several of those. I usually wait for listings that say "lego"
specifically, you know the people intentionally trying to rip others off. I'll
then take photos of the items so I can see the major differences in quality,
then return them under counterfeit item. Although I have kept a few of the super
cheap $.99 listings with free shipping and just thrown them away after taking
pictures.
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Author: | zorbanj | | Posted: | Oct 2, 2021 14:49 | | Subject: | Re: ebay removing counterfeit Lego at last! | | Viewed: | 49 times | | Topic: | General | |
|
| Great idea, wish I'd thought of doing this. Opposition research 
In General, randyipp writes:
| |
I have bought several of those. I usually wait for listings that say "lego"
specifically, you know the people intentionally trying to rip others off. I'll
then take photos of the items so I can see the major differences in quality,
then return them under counterfeit item. Although I have kept a few of the super
cheap $.99 listings with free shipping and just thrown them away after taking
pictures.
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Kingdom, England
USA, Indiana
