Bricks and Minifigs lifts video ban after truce

Bricks and – A Utah LEGO reseller and YouTuber Reckless Ben have agreed to mediate their civil dispute over an alleged LEGO-theft series. The deal cancels a later court hearing and reverses a restriction that had kept Ben Schneider from posting more videos, though the agre

PROVO — For a creator known online as Reckless Ben, the next upload was the one thing on hold.

A Utah civil case had already put a brake on Ben Schneider’s alleged LEGO-theft video series. In an order entered by Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr. Schneider was forced to take down his videos and not publish any more videos about the controversy — even though he had not yet been given a chance to argue his side in court.

Now, after both sides submitted an agreement to the court, the dispute has shifted into mediation, with the parties asking the judge to reverse the restriction that had kept Schneider from posting more videos.

The agreement also cancels a hearing scheduled for later this month, where Graf would have heard arguments from both sides before deciding whether the temporary restrictions should continue throughout the case. Instead, the parties agreed on what those temporary terms would be.

The truce agreement directs Schneider — and anyone working directly or indirectly with him — not to make threats against Bricks and Minifigs. It also bars property destruction. stalking or trespassing. publishing personal contact information. and going within 100 yards of Bricks and Minifigs offices. stores. and its owners.

It also restricts conduct that would target the company’s operations: Schneider is not to impersonate anyone to get a signature or recordings, deface any signs, block any customers, or solicit employees of Bricks and Minifigs to obtain confidential information.

Most of those limits were already listed in the prior order signed by Graf. The new agreement. however. adds an explicit statement that it does not prohibit Schneider and those associated with him from commenting on the lawsuit. publishing court findings. or expressing “opinions. criticism. satire and/or commentary” through any lawful means.

As of Thursday, Graf had not yet signed the new order.

Schneider disputes the allegations in the lawsuit and plans to file a claim against the company, according to a motion filed with the court.

The online conflict began with Schneider’s videos accusing Bricks and Minifigs of stealing a large Star Wars LEGO collection that reportedly ended up with an Oregon franchise on a consignment agreement. The series went viral and was picked up by multiple creators.

That spread appears to have helped bring the case into the courthouse. Bricks and Minifigs filed suit accusing Schneider and others involved in the videos of defamation, disparagement, conspiracy, stalking, trespass, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The series included a chase that led Schneider to American Fork to track down the owners of the Oregon franchise in an effort to serve an Oregon lawsuit. The motion and filings describe that he was arrested twice during the sequence of events. and later charged in Provo’s 4th District Court with stalking. a class A misdemeanor. and targeted residential picketing. a class B misdemeanor.

He was also charged with disorderly conduct, a class C misdemeanor, and trespassing, a class B misdemeanor, after going to Bricks and Minifigs’ corporate office in December.

Beyond the accusations aimed at the company, Schneider’s videos also criticize the American Fork Police Department and describe interactions he had with it, alongside claims of constitutional violations.

Bricks and Minifigs Reckless Ben Ben Schneider LEGO lawsuit defamation mediation Tony Graf Jr. American Fork Police Department