Copyrights on Lego Toys Valid but Laches May Bar Infringement Claims Against Rival

Lego Systems Inc.'s decision to wait 13 years before filing a lawsuit against a company that sells miniature figures similar to Lego’s copyrighted products may ultimately preclude the company from succeeding on its copyright infringement claims, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut said July 11 (Lego A/S v. Best-Lock Construction Toys Inc., D. Conn., 3:11-cv-01586-CSH, 7/11/12).

However, the court refused to make a determination on whether Lego’s claim was barred by laches based on the record presently before it. It said discovery was needed in order to determine if, after learning of the allegedly infringing ...