Lego changes policy on bulk buy sales after Ai Weiwei controversy

The company had a policy of refusing to sell bricks if they believed they would be used to make political statements

Ai was forced to use bricks donated to him by the Australian public after Lego refused to sell him some (David Parry)

Lego has reversed its policy on bulk buy sales following public backlash involving the Chinese artists Ai Weiwei.

Lego used to ask customers buying large quantities of bricks why they were buying so many – or “the thematic purpose of the project” as they put it on their website.

But Lego has made an about-turn on the policy, scrapping then need for big buyers to reveal their purpose.

Instead, if they intend to publically display their Lego creations, they have to make it clear that the Lego Group does not endorse specific projects.

 

A photo posted by Ai Weiwei (@aiww) on Jan 12, 2016 at 10:42pm PST

Last year, Ai Weiwei accused Lego of censorship after it refused to sell him bricks directly, because he planned to use them to make art on political dissidents.

Ai was forced to use bricks donated to him by the Australian public after Lego refused to sell him some.

The company had a policy of refusing to sell bricks if they believed they would be used to make political statements.

After Lego released details of the policy change, Ai posted a picture on Instagram of a young boy putting bricks in his hair and a grinning emoji.