The legal battle between LEGO resale franchise Bricks & Minifigs (BAM) and YouTuber Ben Schneider, better known as “Reckless Ben,” has taken a significant turn after both sides agreed to mediate their dispute and jointly asked a Utah court to modify a temporary restraining order that had limited Schneider’s public commentary.
The proposed agreement, which had not yet been signed by Fourth District Judge Tony Graf Jr., would allow Schneider to resume discussing the case publicly while both parties pursue mediation in an effort to resolve the high-profile defamation lawsuit.
Temporary Gag Order Would Be Relaxed
Bricks & Minifigs sued Schneider and several others in May after his viral investigative video series accused an Oregon franchise of effectively taking possession of an elderly collector’s rare LEGO collection, estimated by the family to be worth nearly $200,000.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Judge Graf issued a temporary restraining order requiring Schneider to remove videos related to the dispute and prohibiting him from publishing additional content about the controversy before a hearing could be held.
That hearing has now been canceled after both sides submitted a stipulated agreement to the court.
Under the proposed order, Schneider would once again be permitted to:
- Comment publicly on the lawsuit.
- Publish court filings and judicial rulings.
- Continue investigative reporting.
- Express opinions, criticism, satire, and commentary through lawful means.
The agreement also lifts the previous restriction preventing Schneider from producing additional videos about the case.
However, the proposed order would still prohibit Schneider and anyone acting on his behalf from engaging in conduct including threats, trespassing, stalking, property damage, publishing personal contact information, impersonating individuals to obtain recordings or signatures, interfering with Bricks & Minifigs’ business operations, or coming within 100 yards of company offices, stores, or owners.
As of the latest court filing, Judge Graf has not yet approved the revised order.
Lawsuit Continues Despite Mediation
The agreement to mediate does not resolve the underlying lawsuit.
Court filings state that Schneider disputes all of the allegations made by Bricks & Minifigs and intends to file counterclaims against the company.
Bricks & Minifigs previously accused Schneider and several co-defendants—including members of the Mansell family—of defamation, business disparagement, conspiracy, stalking, trespass, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The company has consistently denied allegations that it stole the LEGO collection, arguing that the disputed consignment agreement was made with a former Oregon franchise owner without corporate authorization.
BAM has also stated it discovered only a small number of LEGO sets potentially connected to the Mansell collection after taking over the store and offered to return those items, while maintaining it has no legal responsibility for the remainder of the collection.
How the Dispute Began
The controversy began after Bryan Mansell alleged that a Bricks & Minifigs franchise in Salem, Oregon, refused to return his father Eric Mansell’s extensive LEGO collection after the store changed ownership.
According to the family’s claims, the collection—assembled over decades and valued at nearly $200,000—was placed on consignment under an agreement that allowed the store to sell items for a commission while ownership of unsold inventory remained with the Mansells.
Schneider became involved after learning about the dispute and launched a multi-part investigative series documenting the family’s claims and his efforts to locate those responsible.
The videos quickly amassed millions of views across YouTube and other social media platforms, drawing national attention to the case.
Criminal Cases Against Schneider Remain Pending
Separate from the civil lawsuit, Schneider continues to face misdemeanor criminal charges stemming from his efforts to confront and serve legal papers on individuals connected to the dispute in Utah.
According to court records, he has been charged with stalking, targeted residential picketing, disorderly conduct, and trespassing following multiple encounters with law enforcement in American Fork and at Bricks & Minifigs’ corporate offices.
Schneider has also released videos criticizing the American Fork Police Department, alleging constitutional violations during his arrests and interactions with officers.
His next scheduled criminal court appearance is set for July 1.
What’s Next
If Judge Graf signs the proposed order, Schneider will once again be able to publicly discuss the case while mediation proceeds.
The broader civil lawsuit — including competing claims over the viral videos, alleged defamation, and the fate of Eric Mansell’s LEGO collection — remains active, and no settlement has been announced.
The Mansell family continues to seek either the return of the remaining collection or financial compensation, while Bricks & Minifigs maintains it bears no legal responsibility for the disputed consignment agreement.
