In an ironic twist, Lego (who make several excellent troll figurines) gets trolled in the US.
A 'non-trading entity' (aka a patent troll) has filed patent infringement proceedings against Lego in every troll's favourite lair - the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division). No real surprises there given the uncanny success rate trolls enjoy with Eastern Texas juries.
FigureFun alleges the Lego Dimensions product - a Lego system billed as a cross-over between traditional Lego ranges and video games - infringes two of its US patents. The Dimensions system uses RFID chips embedded in Lego figures to identify the figure when placed on built-in chips in the base unit. This then unlocks the relevant characters and levels in the associated Lego games (running on xBox / Playstations).
Although it may come as a surprise to Lego, FigureFun says Lego's conduct has been so egregious that, in addition to the usual declarations of infringement and damages,
FigureFun is seeking its legal costs. Unlike New Zealand and Australia, legal costs are not usually paid to the successful party in litigation in the US.
It'll be interesting to see Lego's strategy dealing with the proceedings, particularly whether it will:
embark on an epic adventure like Emmett, because internationally the equivalent Australian and European applications were never granted (after issues were raised during examination) and have lapsed; or
bow down to the awesome power of the Kragle, and take a 'troll' licence in the face of the high cost of defending US patent infringement proceedings and the 'Eastern District of Texas' factor.
As with all good fairy tales, turned nightmare, only time will tell how it plays out, but hopefully the good guy wins in the end.
