Bricks & Minifigs reaches settlement with Mansell family in viral LEGO Star Wars dispute

Bricks & Minifigs has reached a settlement with the Mansell family following a civil dispute involving the family's LEGO Star Wars collection.

BAM Franchising and the Mansell family announced the resolution in a joint statement on August 19, confirming that the family had been compensated for losses connected to a consignment arrangement with a former operator of the Bricks & Minifigs Salem/Keizer store in Oregon.

The parties said the settlement represented a compromise of disputed claims and did not constitute an admission of liability, wrongdoing or unlawful conduct by BAM, the Mansells or any other released party.

Under the agreement, the Mansells agreed to release their legal claims against BAM, its leadership, Baker Salem, Josh Johnson, Brandon Best and current Bricks & Minifigs franchisees.

BAM, Ammon and Matt McNeff, Baker Salem, Johnson and Best will also dismiss their lawsuit against Bryan Mansell.

The dispute stemmed from a consignment contract between the Mansell family and the former operator of the Salem/Keizer store. BAM said it, Baker Salem, Johnson and Best were not parties to the original agreement.

According to the joint statement, the family's losses were partly linked to how inventory was sold, accounted for, stored and disposed of by the former store operator.

As part of the settlement, Bryan Mansell assigned his claims under the original consignment contract to BAM.

The company can now pursue those claims against parties it believes are responsible, while the Mansells have agreed to provide relevant records.

BAM also apologised to the Mansell family over its handling of the dispute.

“BAM recognizes that the Mansell family experienced a genuine loss, prolonged uncertainty and considerable frustration after the original contract was not properly administered by the former operator of the store and during the transition from the former operator to the replacement franchisees,” the joint statement said.

“BAM regrets that it did not more quickly access information necessary to understand and resolve the matter. BAM has issued an unqualified apology to the Mansell family for the losses and pain suffered from the events surrounding this dispute.”

The parties said they hoped the settlement would bring closure to those affected. Bricks & Minifigs remains involved in separate litigation with YouTuber Reckless Ben related to his investigation into the LEGO collection controversy.