> However, some of these ways are aesthetically or mechanically interesting, and are up to the designer to discover. For the US: Copyright protects original w

> However, some of these ways are aesthetically or mechanically interesting, and are up to the designer to discover. For the US: Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. I agree with you that a designer working in Lego may discover new ways to piece the bricks together, but is that expression of connecting the bricks itself copyrightable, or just the resulting photos, videos, collateral?