LEGO Blocked by Best-Lock; LEGO's Suit against Best-Lock Europe LTD Dimissed in Final Ruling by German Appelate Court (Oberlandesgericht Hamburg) and in Regards to Brick Trademark Postponed.

LANCASHIRE, U.K. -- The Appellate Court of Hamburg dismissed a suit by LEGO Company toward Best Lock (Europe) Ltd. that allows no further appeal by LEGO. Regarding a trademark of a three dimensional 2 x 4 pin standard building brick, the decision is postponed. The trademark has been cancelled in Alicante (European Trademark Office) as well as in Germany at the DPMA (German Trademark Office), but both cases are still pending as LEGO appeals.

"On behalf of the toy industry, we tenaciously undertook this initiative in 1998 to have a fair and competitive opportunity to sell our products in Germany. LEGO has been a less than friendly player in the toy market," says Torsten Geller, Best-Lock's CEO. "The court has ruled on the case in a clear and positive manner."

Best-Lock does not produce nor sell the part in question - a 2 x 4 pin standard brick. Interestingly, the brick was patented in 1947 by an English inventor Mr. Harry Fisher Page, a child psychologist with no connection whatsoever to LEGO.

"Best-Lock will continue to defend its position and protect its retailers and business partners in Germany. We see no reason why this decision would be reversed," states Ali Beyazbayrak, Best Lock's COO.

Best-Lock, a privately owned company founded in 1997, sells its products in 36 countries. The company has offices in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia.

Photo Caption

Best-Lock Europe Ltd. received a final and favorable approval of its legal case at the Appellate Court following a ruling by the Supreme Court in its favor reversing a 40-year German monopoly for LEGO. The German courts will allow no further appeal by LEGO and Best-Lock is now free to market its building block sets in Germany.