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Hello everyone Today we finished our Lego Star Wars Battle on Hoth Echo Base MOC after 7 years of building. We tried to put as much details as possible of the movie in the moc and we think the result turned out really well. But that is just our opinion. What do you guys think? We'd like to get some opinions of you and what you like and what we could improve next time. Greetings to all of you

Made a Fry's run for some cheap Lego. 2x town homes $20 each y wing - $29 2x Milano ships $20 each pizza truck - $8 1 ayesha's revenge - $15 Had to have my mummy fix so picked up the first two flicks for $6 plus they each have $8 off tickets to the new one

I started working some concepts in Google SketchUp, and then moved to Lego Digital Designer. I estimate total design time was about 50 hours. I wanted to generally match the design and proportions of the lighthouse in the cartoon, and yet keep it minifigure scale. About 50 hours of design, just under 2000 pc, and just finished. I hope you like it.

You just made me feel bad.

Adam West passing away. He was my first Batman.

A bunch of summer SW sets have popped up at KMart, including Rahthar escape, Arrowhead, Tracker I and Scout&Speeder Bike. Didn't check all of them but at least the Scout is a Hot Buy right off the bat. Also see TLBM Batwing show up. EDIT: Add Darth Vader Transformation to the list as well, and the classic stormtrooper buildable (with the yellow shoulder pad).

one walmart which is always the early oddball clearance store has it for $45. i left them and checked the tracker when i got home - it was the only store that had that discount . i didn't realize this was a $79.99 msrp otherwise i probably would have snagged them. oh well. i might have to go back and (hopefully) get one so when my 8 year old asks for it next year i won't have to pay some reseller scum some outrageous price.

Jason Alleman (J K Brick works - creator of the Lego Maze 21305) has a sound/light/Bluetooth brick project on Kickstarter at the moment. He integrated the PFx Brick into the Saturn V: Superb! I'd also promote backing the project on Kickstarter as it only has 11 days to go and is just 10% short of its target.

He was certainly eager to get at that Mech Dragon. I wish there were more like him...

Honestly, this should be encouraging for all investors. It's nice to see a Lego set doing well. That means Lego is still wanted. We should all be happy about it whether or not we have this set. I had one and sold it the same day. No regrets- quick money.

Grabbed a bunch of stuff over the last few days Kmart Ocean Explorer x9 $1.55 each was $15 Lakeside Lodge x1 FREE was $30 Island Adventures x2 $7.50 each was $35 Tow Truck Trouble x3 $6.67 each was $25 Amusement park hot dog van x2 $10.00 each was $30 Black panther pursuit x1 $10.83 was $30 Beachside vacation x1 $12 was $30 Skull Scoripio x4 $5.23 each + 75% back in points was $15 Sweeper & Excavator x2 $11 each was $30 31059 Sunset Street Bike x4 $6.00 each was $20 60149 4×4 with Catamaran $7.60 was $20 Star Wars Imperial battle pack (the new one) $5 x2 was $15 60136 Police Starter Set x1 $3.60 was $10 Walmart (my meager clearance finds) Batman Movie super pack $3 x1 was $45 31042 Super Soarer x1 $3 was $10 41180 Ragana's Magic Shadow Castle x1 $40 was $99 70366 Battle Suit Lance x1 $2.50 was $10 75119 Sergeant Jyn Erso x4 $3.50 was $25 10725 Lost Temple x1 $7 was $30 75821 Piggy Car Escape $3.50 was $13 And for the people (myself included) who love haul pictures:

I aim for 50% off on Friends sets that I'm impressed with. Given some patience after retirement and the official toy-stores have run out of stock, the price creeps back up to RRP and it's a decent sale then. Regarding 41122 Adventure Camp Tree House... I got one at 50% off from LEGO Shop at Home in their January sale with the intention to sell it later, but once my daughter saw the box she wanted to have it for her birthday. And a happy daughter is worth more than a profit.

It looks like it's been about 6 months since I did the last one of these. I know I intended to do more, but time got away from me. It's time to get right back in and take a swing at yet another pricey LEGO set and what makes it tick, or brick. I never really thought much about the Y-Wing. It was never really one of my favorite Star Wars vehicles. It looked ungainly and not as sleek as the X-Wing. It is however a classic, used in the original series, reimagined for the Clone Wars and given life again in both Rebels and Rogue One. Recently I saw people talking about this particular set though and it was enough to make me curious about what makes this set difficult to piece together. I was surprised about the sheer volume of parts that are rare or unique. Some of these parts are fairly expensive. In 2004, a brand new Y-WIng Attack Starfighter would have cost $119.99 US. Compared to the prices of other modern UCS sets, that's a real bargain. If you could stumble across one at original retail, you'd be doing quite well. A sealed Y-WIng will run you about $1200-$1300 while a used copy sells for about $600-$800. When I plug the parts into Brickstock, an average used price for parts, is about $830. This is not including box or instructions. I am sure there are plenty of parts that are easy to find, but that's not where the bulk of your money will be spent. I can only imagine how the cost of this set would change if it had been made a year earlier when LEGO was still releasing everything in the old grays. It might have suffered the same identity crisis of the UCS Imperial Star Destroyer (10030), which can be found in both old and new gray. I'm going to be showcasing the parts that are of most interest in this set. I will first discuss the parts that appear in this set more than 20 times. Afterwards, I will be talking about the parts that appear in less than 8 sets and/or will run (on average) more than $1. There will be some overlap between these lists, so I will only list out any overlapping parts once, to avoid confusion. This set is composed of 1487 pieces (counting the single minifigure as a single part.) Those 1487 parts are distributed among 247 different unique elements. In this usage, an element is a unique combination of part and color. For example, there are 4 different colors of 2x6 bricks consisting of a total of 6 different parts, this counts as 4 unique elements. MOST OCCURING: As I said before, I will first be talking about the parts that occur in this set more than 20 times. There are 11 different elements that meet this criteria. These 11 elements account for 441 parts. That's almost 1/3 of the set. That means that the other 236 elements account for the other 2/3 of the set. That's what makes these parts so interesting. Even if you have some of these in your inventory, do you think you have anywhere near as many as you need to build this set? Let's take a look at them now. (All values quoted below are based upon Bricklink sold used parts, as of June 2017). The first piece that we are going to look at is the most commonly occurring piece in the set at 112. This piece is actually not common as it only appears in this set.The White Hose, Ribbed 7 mm D 2L actually qualifies for both lists. Being both rare and coming in at an average of just under $1 each, you're going to wind up spending over $100 on hoses to make the clean, white ailerons that give this ship the distinctive Y shape. If you're trying to build this set on a budget, might I suggest swapping the color for Flat Silver Element 78c02 which comes in at a modest $.04 making it about $4.50 to complete the look. Coming in at less than half the quantity of the previous piece we have the much more common element 4265c. The light bluish grey technic bush 1/2 smooth appears in 515 sets and has an average price of $.02 each. The third item on my list is Element 2555. This set requires 46 Light Bluish Gray Tile, Modified 1 x 1 with Clip. It's fairly common, occurring in 210 sets. It averages about $.05 each This set contains 40 Light Bluish Gray Slope, Inverted 45 2 x 2. Element 3660 averages $.04 and occurs in 233 sets. You've probably got enough element 2780 laying around from some of the 1863 sets that it appears in. This set needs 38 black Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges Lengthwise WITH Center Slots and they're only about $.01 each if you need to replace any. If you're a stickler, make sure that every one of the next element is 3794 not 3794b or 15573. The price difference between the pieces is about $.03 with this version being the most expensive at $.08. You need 34 Light Bluish Gray Plate, Modified 1 x 2 with 1 Stud (Jumper) which occurs in 240 sets. This set also requires 26 Blue Technic, Pin 1/2. Element 4274 appears in 611 sets and average $.02 each. 24 White Technic, Axle Connector 2L (Ridged with x Hole x Orientation) appear in this set. Element 6538b appears in 15 sets and averages $.48 each. If I were looking to save a few dollars, I'd swap it for light bluish gray which averages $.06. That would save about $9-$10. The white Technic, Axle 12 appears in 10 sets. You need 24 at $.36 each. I'm not sure how it would impact the overall aesthetic, but the black version of Element 3708 runs about half the cost and is considerably easier to find. The white Element 32039 Technic, Axle Connector with Axle Hole appears in 7 sets. It has an average cost of $3.47 each making the final cost more than $83 to replace all of them if you needed to. Again, if I were wanting to build this set out on my budget, I'd swap these for light bluish gray for $.04 each. The last item in my list of most common pieces is Element 2412b. This set requires 23 Light Bluish Gray Tile, Modified 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove / Lip which average about $.03 each. That takes care of the most commonly occurring pieces in this set. As you can see, not all of them are in and of themselves common. I have been asked in the past about which substitutions one could make to build a set on a budget. My analysis is purely based upon the cost and not on the aesthetic. I'm afraid without firsthand knowledge of the build, I can't know which suggestions alter the look significantly enough to disturb you. I am also making these suggestions as something to keep an eye out for when paying top dollar for a used set. If these swaps have been made, you're not getting an original set and shouldn't pay the going rate. RARE AND EXPENSIVE: When looking at a UCS set, sometimes the most expensive part is the sticker sheet. Sticker sheets are pricey and may be subject to counterfeiting. I'd look for some resources on what to look for in regards to "custom" sticker sheets. The individual stickered parts of this set seem exceptionally rare. The sheet itself 10134stk01 has sold for $75 on Bricklink. The assembled plaque has sold several times for about $46 while the other stickered pieces haven't been available on Bricklink recently so I cannot give you any information about their prices. The Instructions, if you need them to consider your set complete, sell for about $75 for a new set. Although as of this writing, the cheapest instructions available on Bricklink is $122. A box seems to run about $88. I would offer good luck to anyone who is looking for a box that is cheap enough to bother paying for shipping. FRONT BACK Not terribly expensive, this set comes with R5-D4 minifigure SW029 which appears in 7 sets. It's cost is about $4 for a used one. This is the only minifigure in the set. Now, let's take a look at the expensive, rare, and/or unique parts. In a lot of cases all three qualities overlap. Sometimes they do not. (I have found rare parts in a set that are not terribly expensive.) We'll take a look at all of the parts that cost more than $1 each and/or appear in 8 or less sets. Where I can find one, I might suggest less expensive parts so that someone could approximate this set for their own collection for a reasonable amount. It will also serve as something to look out for if you want an original set. I have already touched on a few of these pieces above and will not repeat them here. I have 27 parts which match this criteria. So, when we look at the expensive parts of this set, we have one show stopper. Unique to this set are 2 White Wheel 70 x 28 mm Futuristic which average about $94 each in used condition. Element 32077 also comes in Metallic Silver in 7 sets and would match the earlier hoses if you color swapped them for silver. (In silver they average about $2.50) Light Bluish Gray Slope, Inverted 45 6 x 4 Double with Recessed Center appears in this set 2 times. Element 30183 only appears in this set in this color. It appears to average about $15 although right now Bricklink shows the lowest at $22. You need 2. (I don't know what it would do to the look if you swapped in the $.10 white or Dark Bluish Gray.) I'm a huge fan of long descriptive names for parts in sort of an ironic way. My preference is for brevity, but that makes me think names like this are funny. Dark Bluish Gray Slope 45 2 x 2 with Black and Yellow Danger Stripes Pattern appears 2 times in this set. Element 3039px16 is only a part of this set in this color. (It was also available in old Dark Gray like the image below.) It's a piece that runs about $11.50. If it were for my personal build,I'd be tempted to go for either the $.11 old Gray version or just put in a plain DBG slope and save myself more than $20. I've got to say, you don't see a lot of Dark Orange parts in stuff. This one seems like a weird one. 18 Brick, Modified 1 x 2 with Handle will run about $4.50 each (about $80 total). Dark Orange element 30236 appears in this set alone. However there are a lot of color options for this part that are significantly cheaper. (White or light bluish gray are about $.03 while Dark Red is about $.07. I might even suggest tan as the parts next to these are tan.) Copper is another color that you never see. In fact,it makes Dark Orange appear downright common. Element 75c08 in any color is not common. In Copper, the Hose, Rigid 3mm D. 8L / 6.4cm appears only in this set. This set requires 8 of them and at more than $4 each, you're looking to spend about $35. Other color choices that may work include red, orange, yellow, black or light bluish gray. They range from $.88-$.10 each. Again, I don't know what it does to the final look, but saving up to $34 on this build appeals to me. We are also looking at 4 of the much longer Dark Bluish Gray Hose, Rigid 3mm D. 14L / 11.2cm at about $4.25 each. Element 75c14 appears in DBG only in this set. If you are trying for an all original set, make sure someone hasn't swapped in the more common old Dark Gray or light bluish gray or black. (Reddish Brown is the cheapest version of this part at about $.30 while LBG is about $2.50 and the others are about $1.) I talked about this next part in the UCS Death Star II set breakdown. Light Bluish Gray Lever Small Base with Light Bluish Gray Lever sounds redundant but refers to the 2 parts that make up element 4592c05. It appears in 7 sets including the UCS Millennium Falcon. You need 8 of them and they are about $4 each. (Thanks Falcon) The black base with LBG lever is a bit cheaper at $2.50, but you could make it pennies if you swap for a black lever in either LBG or black base. Be very careful if you are looking for all original that someone has not subbed in the old light gray pieces. Next, you need 7 Copper Hose, Rigid 3mm D. 6L / 4.8cm which is unique to this set. Element 75c06 averages just over $2. Black will knock down the price per part to about $.13 each. Element 30083 also averages about $2 each. The White Windscreen 6 x 6 x 3 Canopy Half Sphere with Hinge was also available in 7418 Scorpion Palace. The other color options honestly do not appeal to me as a substitution. You have either Tran black or 2 shades of tran blue. You may have to bite the bullet on white. Next we have element 41770 Tan Wedge, Plate 4 x 2 Left. This set only requires 1. It is available in 7 sets (Actually 6 since one of those is a reissue of the Dagobah set in a different box. It averages just north of $1.25. It honestly doesn't look like it matters a lot what color this piece is, if you feel like subbing in white for it you'd be spending a whole nickel at worst. You need 18 of element 2412b in dark orange, which is unique to this set. In this color the Tile, Modified 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove / Lip costs about $1.25 each making your total for a full set about $22. It's used as color accents on the ship. I'd be tempted to sub in red, reddish brown, or dark red and save more than $20. The next element 41855 is the only part in this set to have an officially recognized substitution. The 2 Light Bluish Gray Brick, Modified 2 x 2 x 2/3 Two Studs, Lip End may be substituted for 47457 without going against what people may have found in the original box. 41855 is available in 6 sets and will cost about $1.10 each. the substitution is closer to $.03. Light Bluish Gray Slope 33 3 x 3 Double Convex appears in 6 sets and averages about $.89. That's not too bad for the 2 element 3675 that you need. (It is at this point in the list that I will stop offering suggestions for replacement because we are unlikely to see $1 again. We are now in the realm of the rare but inexpensive parts.) The Dark Bluish Gray Minifig, Head (Plain) - Blocked Open Stud appears once in this set. Element 3626b is shown to be in 3 sets, although I would only consider one of those an actual set as the other was not a mass release set. It is found in Harry and the Marauder's Map. Which is a fairly inexpensive set. This part by itself is about $.68. Strangely, the Tan Wedge, Plate 4 x 2 Right is about half the cost of its twin from above. It averages $.67 for element 41769. This is because it appears in 8 sets instead of the 7 from the other piece. You only need one of these, but if you substituted the other one, I recommend making this one match. The Light Bluish Gray Tile, Round 2 x 2 with SW Radial Machinery Pattern is a part of 2 releases of the Millennium Falcon 4504 which just change box color. It is also a part of 8038 Battle of Endor. Be sure that you don't wind up with the old light gray 4150px19 from the Imperial AT-ST. You only need 1 and it's less than $.65. You also need 4 Dark Bluish Gray Slope 45 2 x 8 which will cost $.64 each. Element 4445 appears in 8 sets. The White Slope 33 3 x 3 Double Convex appears in 4 sets. For the 2 element 3675 that you need, you're going to average $.64 each. You also need 1 Light Bluish Gray Wheel Spoked 2 x 2 with Pin Hole. Element 30155 also appears in 7622 Race for the Stolen Treasure. It averages about $.40 After that, we have element 4161 which appears 2 times. The Yellow Slope 33 3 x 3 is a part of 6 sets and is less than $.25. The Y-Wing has 8 Tan Hinge Brick 2 x 2 Top Plate Thin It's about $.18 each and element 6134 is a part of 6 sets. Element 30359b appears in one other set. It averages $.15 each and you need 16 White Bar 1 x 8 with Brick 1 x 2 Curved Top End (Axle Holder Inside Small End) The Dark Bluish Gray Minifig, Weapon Lance shows up in this set 4 times. It averages $.12. Element 3849 appears in 7 sets. Next, we have element 989 which averages $.09. White Hinge Brick 1 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger Top appears in one other set. You need 2. Element 44126 appears once in this set. Yellow Slope, Curved 6 x 2 averages $.08 and appears in 8 sets (including 2 other versions of the Y-Wing.) The Tan Slope, Curved 6 x 1 Inverted is a part of 4 sets. For the 2 that you need for this set expect to pay about $.07 for element 42023. The last part that makes the cut is element 30647. The White Vehicle, Fairing 1 x 4 Side Flaring Intake with Two Pins appears in 6 sets and averages about $.07 each. You need 4. FINAL ANALYSIS When I make all of my substitutions and remove the stickers and Minifigure, I come up with a total average value of $152. Sure, it wouldn't be original, but it would be good enough for me. I can understand wanting to have a wholly original set, especially one as pricey as this one, but for those, like me, on a budget, I think it would really bring a lot of joy to build one, even if some of the colors were wrong. The above lists in no way represent the full inventory for this set. Bricklink and Rebrickable both have an interactive inventory that would allow you to determine which parts fully make up your set. All images are the property of Rebrickable.com, Bricklink.com, Disney, Lucasfilm Ltd. and The LEGO Group. If you liked this article, please check out the others in the series: 10123 Cloud City 7181 UCS TIE Interceptor 10212 UCS Imperial Shuttle 10182 Cafe Corner 10019 UCS Rebel Blockade Runner 10185 Green Grocer 10190 Market Street 10175 UCS Vader's TIE Advanced 10143 UCS Death Star II View full blog article

I looked up a random listing for the specific brands - It says you need approval to list - I hit request access - You have been approved based on seller metrics As a reference I have sold 3,000 units this year.

in a pm loop with walmart again will see how low it goes.

Thank you for your input. Any other US brickpicker members have experience? I think it certainly carries more risk especially the package needs to be processed through customs. UPS generally speaking is notorious for damaging the package due to improper handling. ☹️

As a builder, the trans-clear windscreen is a unique piece for certain. I remember someone saying they got one, now they want a hundred. Ha ha.

Horrendous. As in terrible, terrible. Worst customer service I have ever dealt with. Been weeks since my destroyed Caterhams arrived. Now, They wont return my phone calls, the one time I did get through they said they would be In touch in 5 days to investigate my package being destroyed by UPS. That was 11 days ago. Looks like I will have to dispute the CC charges if all else fails. Not sure how they are in business honestly.

Adam West, Noooooo!

Still waiting for the Republic Fighter tank EDIT: THEY HAVE IT!

I think the Lego designers based the UCS set on one of the original scale models used in the A New Hope. There is one so called "superhero model", which is an incredibly detailed model used for close up shots. This model has battle damage and oxidation, both of which are very hard to replicate using Lego bricks (except when using prints or stickers). Another thing is that the scale of the UCS model is a bit off on some of the parts. Namely the tubing is way too thick compared to the rest of the model. The actual model has thin copper tubes, which don't stand out as much (they are more of a yellowish copper). Now all of this is about the original model used in A New Hope. It was given to someone named Alan Jadd who helped Lucas get his movie released. It looks like this: More pictures over here: https://propstore.com/blog/top-5-star-wars-artefacts-in-prop-store-ceo-stephens-personal-collection/ From what I've read there is a LOT of difference between different models used and especially between different films. One good example is this model: This model was made by Bill George (ILM) and if I understand it correctly, was used in Return of the Jedi. More pictures here: http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=2722 Now the pictures are kind of dark, but it's pretty clear that the copper tubing is way less pronounced on this model. It's very thin (which is not possible to replicate in Lego unless you change scale) and the colors are more muted. Here's an interesting video about the background behind the original superhero y-wing model: As you can probably tell I'm a big fan of the Y-Wing. I can understand why some people might not think much of it, but to me it's appearance fits perfectly with the role it has to play in the rebellion. I think the line Luke has about the Falcon, fits the Y-Wing just as well. It might look like a piece of junk, but it'll kick your a** any day.

Pickup at the Renton store has worked a total of zero times for me.

Thanks. Will just chalk it up to TRU gonna TRU.

Mastermind has some sets 30%+ off. Not a lot from what I could see but a few sets worth giving some thought about.

What is up with all the reseller hate on here I expect it on the Amazon reviews but if we can't talk about that what is left Bitcoin? I thought this was a lego investment website. This set will be produced until the end of 2018 but every production run will be snatched up by resellers like sharks to blood in the water. Everyone on here had a chance to get this set early and unlimited from Walmart if you missed out adapt or move on.

yes safari was major glitchy, I had to switch to chrome to place the order (desktop not mobile) Apple doesn't like people getting discounts ?????

First I have seen the BMW bike on sale. Hoping for an amazon match. Need that one for the 40th anniversary build.

Toysrus.com 20% off Speed Champions and Technic.

Frys.com 50% off select Lego (pretty long list) with email promo code (free to sign-up, but believe you don't receive your first promo code until next day). http://frys.com/search?search_type=regular&sqxts=1&cat=&query_string=8693970+9054167+9054157+9054147+9054107+9054087+9054067+9053967+9053927+9053827+9053807+8694680+9053797+9002087+9002037+9054027+8883802+9053917+8694500+9054127+8694380+8694320+9053947+9054177+9053837+9072597+9072537+9072507+9072497+9072467+9054387+9054357+9054337+9054297+9054247+9072587+9054237+9054217&nearbyStoreName=false&site=96premail060917

Ordered a 41095 Emma's House this morning. Still showing 1 in stock for those with magic http://www.kmart.com/lego-friends-emma-8217-s-house/p-004W001342217002P?sellerId=KMART&prdNo=30&blockNo=30&blockType=G30

There are differences in being absolutely ridiculous when it comes to reselling. I've said many times before, people buying and holding stuff to make money is no problem. It's the purposely cornering a market such as this that should be frowned upon. If someone waits until after retirement and complains, well that's their own fault. I don't complain about sets that were retired before I came out of my dark ages. I applaud resellers who hold onto these sets. I've done it a time or two. And I don't actually resell. I know, why am I here? Because honestly out of all the communities I've visited, this is by far one of the best I've seen. And I enjoy the community here. Plus it's nice to know the general value of my sets.

Anybody watch Attack on Titan? I recommend. ?

Today is restock day in LEGO stores...at least in mine. Anybody can confirm restock in B&N?[emoji101] cause i am getting ready...

I love this set. By far the most unorthodox building techniques of any set I have built to date. Kudos to TLG for Making it very sturdy. I am not sure yet how I am going to rearrange and fit this in yet though. I was hoping to display vertically.

Got a new ad today. 50% in points for Smart sense $10+ "Offer ends 10/14/17" And $5 back on $40 for members until 6/10

And the blue skateboard encrusted in the sign on the top of the building. That must have been a nasty accident.

I had to laugh, because there is actually very little pink in this. It's the purple and the other pastels that are throwing you off.

Give BrickOwl.com a try. Their shopping cart algorithm is pretty cool. Plus, they will include shipping costs in the calculation (as long as the seller has set up shipping rates, but every serious seller does). And as you add vendors to the list, it will re-optimize your purchases across all selected vendors, giving you the best deal. Most BL sellers are also on BO, and with the same prices, so you're not missing out there.

I think the Medevac service and it's lack of space for a gurney is disconcerting.

....We're gonna need a bigger hangar.

Or set the laundry and dishwasher to run simultaneously.

Not directly about LEGO, but it was something that could have had implications down the road. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/30/business/supreme-court-patent-rights-lexmark.html WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Tuesday placed sharp limits on how much control patent holders have over how their products are used after they are sold. The case concerned Lexmark International, which makes toner cartridges for use in its printers. The court ruled that the company could not use patent law to stop companies from refilling and selling the cartridges. Mark Lemley, director of the Stanford Program in Law, Science and Technology, said that anyone who refurbished, repaired or resold used products would now be protected from patent infringement claims. The ruling will also prevent manufacturers from forcing consumers to buy supplies only from the original source. “It’s good for consumers,” Mr. Lemley said. “It’s going to reduce consumer prices.” Lexmark sold the cartridges on the condition that they not be reused after the ink ran out. Impression Products, a small company in Charleston, W.Va., nonetheless bought Lexmark cartridges in the United States and abroad, refurbished and refilled them, and sold them more cheaply than Lexmark does. Lexmark sued for patent infringement, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, a specialized court in Washington, accepted both of its main arguments, concerning domestic and international sales. The appeals court acknowledged that the general rule was that buyers of patented products could do with them what they wished. But it said the conditions Lexmark placed on the sale of its cartridges could be enforced as a matter of patent law for sales in the United States. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for a unanimous Supreme Court on this point, disagreed. He said Lexmark could not use the patent laws to enforce the contractual conditions it placed on the sale of its cartridges. Under the doctrine of “patent exhaustion,” he wrote, once a patent holder sells an item, it can no longer control the item through the patent laws. “The purchaser and all subsequent owners are free to use or resell the product just like any other item of personal property, without fear of an infringement lawsuit,” the chief justice wrote. He used an illustration to make the point. “Take a shop that restores and sells used cars,” Chief Justice Roberts wrote. “The business works because the shop can rest assured that, so long as those bringing in the cars own them, the shop is free to repair and resell those vehicles. That smooth flow of commerce would sputter if companies that make the thousands of parts that go into a vehicle could keep their patent rights after the first sale.” Printer makers like Lexmark and HP have long battled independent companies that refill ink and toner cartridges and sell them more cheaply than the manufacturers do. Inkjet printer ink is one of the world’s most expensive liquids, with Consumer Reports magazine estimating in 2013 that it cost $13 to $75 an ounce — more than top-class Champagne and many perfumes. A new Lexmark toner cartridge, with a suggested price of almost $200, sells for $138 at a major retailer. But a refurbisher currently sells a replacement for $72. While Lexmark turned to the courts to stop the refill companies, HP resorted to technology, such as changing the internal software in the printers to recognize and block the use of unauthorized cartridges. But the court’s decision will have ramifications far beyond ink, particularly for the import and resale of products like smartphones and name-brand drugs. The justices essentially ruled that once products are sold, buyers can do what they want with them unless other laws intervene. In theory, the decision will allow a retailer like Costco Wholesale, which filed a brief for the defendant in the case, to buy high-tech goods at the cheapest price it can find worldwide, bring them to the United States and resell them to customers. In a brief supporting Impression Products, Intel and other technology companies told the court that patent law should not be used to undermine an interconnected global economy. “A product may be designed in the United States; assembled in Singapore from parts made in Costa Rica, Israel and China; and then shipped to the United States for sale,” the brief said. “Intel’s multitier supply chain, for example, comprises more than 16,000 suppliers in over 100 countries. Likewise, more than 750 companies supply components from over 30 countries that are incorporated in iPhones and iPads.” The appeals court had also ruled in favor of Lexmark on foreign sales, saying that patent holders could control what was done with their products after they were sold abroad and re-imported by buyers. Chief Justice Roberts again disagreed, writing for the majority that the same basic principles applied. “An authorized sale outside the United States, just as one within the United States, exhausts all rights under the Patent Act,” he wrote. In a 2013 Supreme Court copyright decision, Kirtsaeng v. John Wiley & Sons, the Supreme Court ruled that it was lawful to import and resell textbooks that were first sold abroad. Chief Justice Roberts wrote that making distinctions between patent and copyright protections “would make little theoretical or practical sense.” The ruling on international sales is significant, legal experts said, because companies often sell their products abroad at lower prices on the condition that they will not be imported into the United States. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dissented from that part of the decision. “Patent law is territorial,” she wrote. “A foreign sale, I would hold, does not exhaust a U.S. inventor’s U.S. patent rights.” Justice Neil M. Gorsuch did not participate in the case, Impression Products v. Lexmark International, No. 15-1189.

In the US there is no hard street date on the boxes of any of the new creator sets. Official S @ h release is 6/1/2017. Also just saw these if anyone is in Singapore