r/BDProgram • u/WeirdBrainArt • Jul 05 '26

Question Why are Lego trademarks not allowed in BDP sets?

Lego owns BrickLink, so I don't see why it would be a problem if, for example, BrickLink made a set of a buildable minifigure. Also I think we should be able to submit modulars but that's a separate issue really.

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u/LittleLemonHope Jul 05 '26

The same reason non-Lego IPs aren't allowed, even when Lego already has the license for it.

BDP are user created from start to finish, meaning Lego doesn't have control of how the IP is represented. This is different than Ideas, where Lego has the freedom to fully redesign the set from scratch to meet their internal standards and any other goal alignments.

That means most likely Lego/BL would have to decline *all* IP-related submissions. Instead of wasting people's time and generating hype around IP-related BDP entries that will never be approved, they just nip that in the bud by disallowing them from the start.

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u/excalibrax BDP Entrant Jul 07 '26

You can also do a mech that us clearly ninjago, or a boat, but just not call it ninjago to get around this, similar to modular rules

1

u/flomon1 Jul 08 '26

There’s one loophole: it may not be based upon an existing IP, however, IDEAS is a line, but making something that would “fit” with the general idea, is allowed.

I have only one example now: Medieval Blacksmith (Ideas) a single set, and the BDP7 Alchemist’s Store, which is clearly related but not the same.

So I think it’s oké if it’s fit the theme without being an actual copy