Building for the future as Lego changes large brick policy

The turnaround, posted on Lego's website, comes after Chinese artist Ai Weiwei accused the company of censorship when it refused to sell bricks directly to him.

When the incident took place in October, Lego said its policy was to decline such requests if it believed the bricks would be used to make a political statement.

But in the new statement, Lego said it had "adjusted" its guidelines.

It said: "Previously, when asked to sell very large quantities of Lego bricks for projects, the Lego Group has asked about the thematic purpose of the project.

"This has been done as the purpose of the Lego Group is to inspire children through creative play, not to actively support or endorse specific agendas of individuals or organisations.

"However, those guidelines could result in misunderstandings or be perceived as inconsistent, and the Lego Group has therefore adjusted the guidelines for sales of Lego bricks in very large quantities."

Instead, customers who intend to display their Lego creations in public will be asked to make it clear that the company does not support or endorse the specific projects.

Ai, a political activist and one of the world's leading contemporary artists, is known for his criticism of the Chinese government.

He ended up using bricks donated to him by the public for an exhibition about human rights in Melbourne, Australia.