Lego Wins Copyright, Trademark Claims Over Minifigure Competitor

Lego AS convinced a Connecticut federal court that a toy company infringed copyrights and trade dress protecting its iconic Minifigure figurine design.

Zuru Inc.'s MAX Figures copied various aspects of Lego figurines even without considering functional aspects required for compatibility within the Lego ecosystem, the US District Court for the District of Connecticuit said Thursday. MAX Figures closely replicate the overall shape and proportions of Lego’s Minifigures, with any minor differences having negligible impact on the overall visual expression of the toys, Judge Alvin W. Thompson wrote.

Largely granting Lego’s bid for summary judgment, the opinion noted that utilitarian, functional ...