Cobi (building blocks)

Last updated
Cobi S.A.
FoundedApril 1987;39 years ago (1987-04) in Warsaw, Poland
FounderRobert Podleś
Headquarters
Poland
ProductsToys
OwnerRobert Podleś
Website cobi.pl
Cobi sets on sale at a toy store in CityLink Mall, Singapore. Cobi Blocks sets on sale in Singapore 02.jpg
Cobi sets on sale at a toy store in CityLink Mall, Singapore.

Cobi S.A, also simply known as Cobi, is a Polish building block toy brand, known for producing brick-built models of cars and military vehicles. Although traditionally considered a Lego clone, Cobi uses original minifigure designs and they also produces sets with military themes, which Lego usually avoids.

Contents

History

COBI S.A. was founded in 1987 by Polish entrepreneur Robert Podleś as a seller of board games, puzzles and imported arcade games. [1] [2] [3] It later began importing toys from American markets to be sold in Poland. In 1992, Cobi began to produce its first building block sets that followed the pattern and structural design of Lego products. [1] [2] [3] Cobi opened a new office, headquarters and a major production plant for their building block sets in Mielec in 1996. [1] [2] [3] In 2006, Cobi merged with American company Best-Lock which allowed them to distribute their products to worldwide markets, starting with America. [4]

Dispute with Lego

Between 1990–2001, Cobi entered into constant disputes with The Lego Group with the latter accusing the former of plagiarism. [2] [3] [5] The Lego Group eventually filed a lawsuit against Cobi, but the lawsuit was dismissed after it was found out that the patent for traditional Lego blocks (not including unique sculpted blocks or minifigures) had expired in 1978. [2] [5] Lego, however, remained a competitor brand of Cobi. [2] [3] [5]

Products

A model of a 1937 Horch 901, with German Heer driver inside. Cobi Horch 1937.jpg
A model of a 1937 Horch 901, with German Heer driver inside.

Cobi mainly specializes in military-themed building block sets that are intended as model kits. [6] Cobi has repeatedly stated that their products are not intended to glorify war or facism and are only intended as models based on history. [7] [8] Aside from military-themed sets, Cobi also produces brick-built models of licensed cars and trucks. [9]

Collaborations

A Cobi set with Company of Heroes 3 branding. Cobi 8,8 Flak from Company of Heroes 3.jpg
A Cobi set with Company of Heroes 3 branding.

Cobi has collaborated with the Bovington Tank Museum of Dorset, releasing a series of models that are exclusively sold in the museum's gift shop. [10] There have also been collaborations with video games. In 2018, Cobi released a series of tank models in collaboration with online game World of Tanks. Exclusive codes to redeem virtual items were included with the models. [11] Cobi also collaborated with the video game Company of Heroes 3 and released several 1/35 scaled sets based on scenes in the game. [12]

Competitors

The main competitor of Cobi is Lego, which is considered the father of building block toys. [3] Unlike Lego, Cobi sets enter into themes of military and war, which Lego avoids. Another competitor of Cobi is Quanguan, a Chinese company that also produces brick-built models of military vehicles. [13] [14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Od klocków do sukcesu - polska firma zdobywa świat!" [From blocks to success - a Polish company conquers the world!]. familybusiness.ibrpolska.pl (in Polish). 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Żbikowska, Izabela (2016-01-25). "Zaczęli od puzzli, a zbudowali biznes z klocków" [They started with puzzles and built a business with bricks.]. wyborcza.biz (in Polish). Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kijek, Łukasz (2025-06-15). "Klocki z Mielca podbijają świat. Wcześniej stoczyły wiele bitew z Lego" [The bricks from Mielec are taking the world by storm. They've previously fought numerous battles with Lego.]. Money.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  4. ↑ "Best Lock Group Ltd. Is Pleased to Announce Its Merger with Cobi". Business Wire. 7 February 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "LEGO kazało im zniszczyć wszystkie maszyny. Ta firma z Mielca nie dała się i dziś konkuruje z duńskim potentatem" [LEGO ordered them to destroy all their machines. This Mielec-based company refused to give up and today competes with the Danish company.]. INNPoland.pl (in Polish). 2015-12-28. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  6. ↑ Baillie, Ian (2024-11-05). "Introducing Cobi Building Brick Sets to Diecast Model Centre". Diecast Model Centre. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  7. ↑ "Naziści w samochodach-zabawkach polskiej firmy. "Nie popieramy ich poglądów"" [National Socialists riding in Cobi toy cars. "We don't support their views."]. PolsatNews.pl (in Polish). 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  8. ↑ Polska, Grupa Wirtualna (2021-03-02). "Po krytyce firma Cobi wycofuje zestawy z kontrowersyjnymi figurkami" [Polish company Cobi withdraws controversial sets. CEO apologizes and explains]. Money.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  9. ↑ "COBI zawiera umowę licencyjną z Volkswagenem: Nowe klockowe modele samochodów wkrótce na rynku" [COBI signs licensing agreement with Volkswagen: New block car models coming soon to the market.]. cobi.pl (in Polish). 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  10. ↑ Nik (2023-06-16). "Cobi to thrill brick enthusiasts". The Tank Museum. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  11. ↑ "Discover the new Cobi tank models". World of Tanks Europe. 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  12. ↑ "Company of Heroes 3 + LOTS more!". BRICKTANKS. 2022-09-02. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  13. ↑ Heiko (2022-10-02). "QuanGuan 100241 - TOG II Super Heavy Tank". BrickMeet EN. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  14. ↑ Heiko (2021-08-23). "QuanGuan 100069 - Panzer IV". BrickMeet EN. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
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