Over 3,300 counterfeit LEGO-style toys seized in Querétaro, Mexico

Mexican authorities have seized 3,366 sets of building toys suspected of being counterfeit LEGO products at the Querétaro Customs office. The toys, originating from Asia, are believed to infringe on the industrial property rights related to the three-dimensional designs registered by LEGO Holding A/S.

Vidal Llerenas, the general director of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), announced the seizure, which resulted from two inspection operations conducted on July 21 at the Terminal Logistics, S.A. de C.V. facility in Colón, Querétaro. These actions were taken as provisional measures under the Federal Law for the Protection of Industrial Property.

During the first inspection, officials discovered 2,000 sets of building toys that bore strong similarities to designs protected by LEGO's registered patents. As a precautionary measure, their circulation was suspended, and the merchandise was secured. A second inspection on the same day identified an additional 1,366 sets with similar characteristics, leading to their seizure as well while the investigation proceeds.

The IMPI stated that these operations are part of its surveillance efforts at entry points into the country to detect merchandise that potentially infringes on industrial property rights. The institute is coordinating with the Secretariat of Economy and other relevant authorities to prevent the commercialization of such infringing products. The 3,366 seized building toy sets will remain in secure storage at the customs facility.