[Kevin Watson]

Yes, good news indeed. This was just sent out to the FLL teams:

-Kevin

>It has come to our attention that recent news concerning events at the
>LEGO Company contained inaccurate information about our ongoing commitment
>and support for LEGO MINDSTORMS. In response to questions from FLL
>partners, FLL participants and other LEGO MINDSTORMS enthusiasts, the LEGO
>Company has prepared the following statement:
>
>Recent speculation that LEGO Company will be abandoning the LEGO
>MINDSTORMS concept simply isn't true. We are fully committed to the LEGO
>MINDSTORMS concept and the FIRST LEGO League program. The LEGO Company
>will constantly be developing new products and concepts that empower
>children to realize their own ideas and discover new possibilities, and we
>believe that technology and robotics are an important part of that. But
>going forward, LEGO Company will to a higher degree seek the balance
>between the core LEGO Idea and new expressions of the LEGO brand in ways
>that make sense for consumers and our business. The LEGO MINDSTORMS
>concept is close to the LEGO core.
>
>We are extremely proud of the FIRST LEGO League program and our
>partnership with FIRST and all the FLL partners. FLL has a unique way to
>inspire and challenge children to make an effort to come up with their own
>unique solutions to complex problems. The LEGO MINDSTORMS concept and the
>RCX technology are playing an essential role in FIRST LEGO League and will
>continue to do so. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of
>the FLL program in the future.
>
>
>Tormod Askildsen
>Senior Director
>LEGO Community Development