G2 bootlegs

[FrigidKopaka]

Has anyone wondered why G2 bootlegs are so ubiquitous? They are very easy to get a hold of and the manufacturers don’t even try to hide the fact that they are blatantly copying G2 Bionicle. No name changes, no recolors, or any creativity whatsoever to avoid copyright infringement. 
 

I have a theory that Lego is aware of the scalpers selling G2 sets and is allowing these bootlegs to exist as a result. Kinda weird that they cracked down harshly on the Bionicle Masks of Power game, but not these prolific bootlegs. 

[Tattorack]

Bionicle Masks of Power is one indie team. The bootleggers fall under a vast array of different names and manufacturers. They might very well be all the same manufacturer, but investigating it is probably not very cost effective.

Perhaps LEGO is crossing their fingers that the bootlegs are of such inferior quality that they don't pose a threat. Or perhaps the bootlegs only really sell well on the Asian market, and LEGO doesn't really care or can't really penetrate the Asian market.

[Nato G]

Most of those bootlegs come out of China, and China is notorious for not caring about enforcing international copyright law. Their legal system is intentionally difficult for foreigners to navigate, so even for companies with deep pockets like Lego, it's often not worth the time or effort.

[InfinityStuffBionicle]

Or it could be that since lego's barely using constraction anymore, they aren't worried about fakes, because they don't damage any of their sales, because what they're knocking off of doesn't exist anymore.

[Tattorack]

If only they'd apply that logic to fan projects. 😠

[FrigidKopaka]

Idk maaan Lego seemed to clap a lot of the G1 bootlegs pretty quick