Cuusoo is not dead ... Here is Cuusoo Brick

Do you remember Cuusoo, the concept of through crowdfunding / crowdsourcing Japanese that LEGO relied on in 2008 to launch its participatory platform before the manufacturer regained full control of what has since become LEGO Ideas?

Someone at Cuusoo must have thought it was a shame to let the good idea slip away and here is Cuusoo Brick. The concept is identical to that of the LEGO Ideas platform, with however some modifications: You submit a project (or you propose one that is not yours), you find 100 supporters, your project goes into the review phase and if the project is "approved", you can buy the instructions and the parts necessary for its assembly on Bricklink. The creator of the project receives royalties, Bricklink collects his commission on the sale and everyone is happy.

For now, this near-true copy of what LEGO Ideas offers, here backed by Bricklink, looks like a nice marketing sleight of hand disguised as a participatory initiative (I am told in the earpiece that LEGO Ideas is is probably a bit the same thing ...), but I'm waiting to see how this alternative solution will evolve, which could attract all those who have nothing to expect from LEGO Ideas because of support that is slow to appear, licenses already held by other brands or projects discontinued by LEGO.

One thing is certain, Bricklink is starting to expand its communication. After the launch of the Bricklink MOC Shop, here is another tool, obviously intended to supply the MOC Shop with projects acclaimed by fans, which will undoubtedly help to make the general public aware of the marketplace already # 1 among LEGO fans.