There was also an attempt by Lego to trademark the blocks. That would have prevented competitors from creating compatible designs. However this was recently str

There was also an attempt by Lego to trademark the blocks. That would have prevented competitors from creating compatible designs. However this was recently struck down by the European Court, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-judges-rule-out-lego-trademark-2079150.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/eu-judges-rul...