28 January 2025
International LEGO Day: a history of LEGO and our favourite patents
As it’s International LEGO day, we thought we’d look at some of our favourite brick-based patents and designs from the British Library’s historical intellectual property collection. What better place to start than with the patent that started it all – Danish patent no. 92,683.
The LEGO interlocking system
Danish patent no. 92,683 was filed in Denmark on the 28th of January 1958, hence today being International LEGO day.
The LEGO Group was not the first company to sell plastic building bricks, but it was the first company to add tubes to the underside of a brick. This seemingly simple addition gave the studs on top a better purchase (or as the LEGO Group describes it, a higher ‘clutch power’), allowing for bigger and more complicated builds than previously possible. It is the interlocking of the studs and tubes that this patent protects, as can be seen in this image taken from the patent specification.
Before the LEGO brick - Kiddicraft
The LEGO Group moved from wooden toys to plastic ones in 1947. Reports of how it happened vary, but the LEGO Group got hold of some plastic bricks from a UK company called Kiddicraft. These bricks were not protected by any patents in Denmark, and so with very minor adjustments they were copied and released by the LEGO Group as 'Automatic Binding Bricks' in 1949 – giving the toy an English name in honour of the end of World War II.
The below images are from two Kiddicraft brick patent specifications from the 1940s (GB 587,206 and GB 633,055). The slits on the side of the latter brick were for doors and windows, and the same slits can be seen on the LEGO Group’s 'Automatic Binding Bricks'.
In the late 1950s, the LEGO Group is said to have contacted Kiddicraft to ask whether they objected to the LEGO brick – they report that they did not. In 1981, the LEGO Group purchased the rights to the Kiddicraft bricks and trade marks (perhaps to shore up their history ahead of a copyright lawsuit they would soon instigate against a rival toy company).
LEGO roofs / slopes
Those of us who played with LEGO bricks as children (and possibly still do as adults) will have likely built a house at some point. The sloping roof bricks were patented by the LEGO Group in 1959 and is a very early example of a specialised LEGO brick. Today sloping bricks are a common LEGO component, used to represent a myriad of things, from a car bonnet to a control panel on the Millennium Falcon.
The illustrations from the US version of the patent specification (US 3,034,254) show their initial roof focused application well.
Duplo
In 1969 LEGO released the toddler focused Duplo bricks, which are twice the size of their LEGO equivalent, making them easier to handle and less likely to be swallowed. The 2:1 scale, alongside the inclusion of hollow studs on top of the bricks, means Duplo and LEGO bricks are (mostly) compatible – as the patent specification (DK 120,627) illustration from 1971 shows.
The LEGO minifigure
Surprisingly, given the fact that early LEGO sets were mostly houses and vehicles, no LEGO figures were available until the mid-1970s.
The LEGO Group’s first attempt was the LEGO building figures, released in 1974. A whole family (mother, father, boy, girl and grandmother) were available, and their torsos, arms, and legs were built from LEGO bricks. Their heads were a large round custom piece, complete with hair and printed facial features.
In 1975 came a figure more in scale with the sets being produced (being 4 bricks high). Looking very close to the now iconic LEGO minifigure, albeit without movable arms and legs, and no printing on the face. We particularly love the inclusion of the hats in the original registered design (MR 1975 00216).
Fast forward only a few years to 1978, and LEGO would release the now iconic minifigure proper in set 600, featuring a policeman and a patrol car. The new movable arms and legs provided far more play options and was an immediate hit. The design of the minifigure was registered throughout the world, but we’ve chosen the US design patent due to the rather nice use of shading (US DES. 253,711).
The way the legs and feet of the minifigure connected with other LEGO bricks was also patented (US 4,205,482).
LEGO horse
Next up is one of our favourite Lego bricks: the horse. Introduced in 1984, it was the first animal figure the LEGO Group created, and it remained unchanged until 2012 (when the Lord of the Rings sets added posable legs).
The illustrations from the US design patent (US DES. 281,519) are very nostalgic.
Bonus – original DUPLO figure
Ending on the wonderfully designed original DUPLO figure that was released in 1977. It would be replaced by a now more familiar DUPLO figure in 1983, but the simple finger puppet style original is our favourite. Particularly this moustachioed gentleman (US DES. 248,173).
15 January 2025
Make Matisse your own: public domain and copyright in 2025
As 2025 rolls in, a whole host of new material and content has entered the public domain and can be now be remade or adapted by anyone without worrying about copyright infringement. Jeremy O'Hare, the British Library's Research and Business Development Manager, has put together this blog to explain how public domain works and which exciting new works are now available to use for free.
***
The Great New Year Copyright Giveaway!
Every new year, on the stroke of midnight, hundreds of works of literature, art and recordings magically transform themselves into a gift for everyone to use. This gift is called ‘public domain’.
It’s not widely known that copyright on every creative work will eventually expire. This means, in effect, that anybody can reprint, reproduce, adapt and recreate famous (and sometimes not so famous) works for their own use after a certain amount of time has passed.
What is copyright and how does it expire?
Copyright is a type of intellectual property. If you’re an author, musician, software creator, artist, photographer or illustrator, video/film maker or even podcaster, the content you create is automatically yours to own, use and commercialise. It is your copyright, on one condition -- that it is original work that you created. You should also be able to prove you created it when you did, so you can demonstrate that you created the work first (especially if someone were to copy or adapt it).
The question is how long can someone claim ownership over their work? The answer (in UK copyright law) is the lifetime of the author or creator +70 years from the end of the calendar year of their death. Alternatively, if there is no designated creator and the work is produced by, say, a corporate entity, it is seventy years from the date of first release.
Either way, potentially a long time and often long enough for a descendant or other owner/publisher to maintain control over the right of usage, even after the death of the original creator.
As every new year rolls over, the +70 years copyright period will expire for more works. This can be a big moment for fans of famous works previously protected by copyright, as they can now be freely recreated or adapted into something new.
Want to find out more about copyright and how it might apply to your business? Sign up for our monthly introduction to copyright webinar. You can also find regular webinar introductions to Intellectual Property here.
Some recent famous names
For UK readers, did you know that the works of notable authors such as James Joyce, George Orwell and Virginia Woolf that were published during their lifetimes are now free to reuse and adapt?
Works of art and illustration by artists such as Max Beckmann and the much-loved illustrator of the Wind in the Willows Arthur Rackham are also able to be used.
Films in the public domain include some classic works in the history of film, such as Fritz Lang’s Metropolis or many of Charlie Chaplin’s earliest films. Other works that maybe of interest for reusing are old British Pathé News or Movietone reels, especially if you’re wishing to reuse original historical news and documentary archives.
Likewise, early radio broadcasts from the 1930s and 1940s are also now public domain, as are broadcasts from the 1950s, 60s and early 70s. In fact, broadcasts have a much shorter copyright life of just 50 years. However, this does not apply to recorded music or other underlying copyrighted work, such as an original script for radio.
Some creative reuses
As new digital formats reach larger as well as niche audiences, there has never been a better time to reimagine an older work.
What kinds of re-creations and adaptations are possible for public domain works? This is a potential boon for publishers who may want to republish new editions of older works, such as a new collected series of novels or stories. It’s also fantastic for consumers of e-books, as classic works can be reproduced in multiple formats which lowers the price for these works considerably and means some are now even available for free.
TV, film or theatre producers can also freely use a literary work to remake or adapt it. This is nothing new when we think of the multiple film versions of titles like Dracula, Sherlock Holmes or the great TV adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels.
These old stories can spin out new versions with different storylines using the famous characters. We only need to think of the many different versions and stories that Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes has inspired.
Indeed, where would an entertainment company like Disney be today if it hadn’t adapted classic works, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Pinocchio, or more recently Beauty and the Beast or the Little Mermaid?
Public domain works are there for the taking, and Disney’s adaptations of these much older stories has led to huge commercial success.
There are no limits to creative reimagining when it comes to public domain work! One of the more surprising adaptions is the reworking of George Orwell’s Animal Farm into a mobile phone game.
Territorial rights
One important aside before you dive into using your favourite public domain work - do be aware the length of copyright can vary between countries. Intellectual property rights are territorial by country so you will have some variances in length depending on the country’s own copyright laws. For example, some works may be out of copyright in the US but not yet in the UK.
A summary of the various time spans by country can be found here. Don’t forget to watch out for format too. There may be differences in copyright length depending on whether the content is print, recorded sound, visual or music.
What’s free for 2025 in the UK?
Drum roll please. Here are my favourite copyright freebies for the UK this year…
There are two major artists, one photographer, and one author.
Up first is Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. Her visually stunning and painfully personal works have gained a worldwide reputation in their own right. Therefore, it is indeed timely that a new generation are now able to reimagine, remake and even expand Kahlo’s vision into new creations.
Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird (1940) - Frida Kahlo
Another famous name in early modern art is Henri Matisse, whose work is also copyright free for 2025. Matisse was a painter, printmaker and sculptor, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern art. His work is readily identifiable by its bold colours and expressive brushwork. I predict a Matisse revival this year as reprints and remakes of all kinds are made and sold.
Image: Kevin Snow
Images from one of the most famous names in photojournalism, Robert Capa, are also now copyright free. Capa’s work captured some of the most significant conflicts of the twentieth century. His work documenting the Spanish Civil War, Second World War and his work for Magnum Photos will live on as iconic images of the 20th Century for centuries to come.
Lastly, the work of British author J.B Priestley, who was a novelist, playwright and essayist, best known for his play An Inspector Calls, enters the public domain this year. His essays and novels may well become widely read again, and it won’t surprise me to see his plays back on stage, perhaps in new and different forms.
Of course, these are just some of the most famous names. If you’re looking for new public domain material, have a look for anyone who died in 1954 who is still well-known today (or perhaps should be better known) and if they created anything of enduring interest. There’ll be a very good chance their work is copyright free to use in the UK.
So for 2025, happy hunting for treasures, known and hidden, with this year’s great copyright giveaway!
- Written by Jeremy O’Hare.
Don't forget to sign up for our monthly introduction to copyright webinar. You can also find regular webinar introductions to Intellectual Property here.
09 January 2025
2024 at the BIPC: a year of business growth
As we step into an exciting new year at the Business & IP Centre, we’re excited to continue supporting entrepreneurs from all backgrounds in starting, protecting and growing their businesses nationwide. But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to take a look back on our highlights of 2024.
A year of inspiring events
We were thrilled to hold four Inspiring Entrepreneurs events throughout the year, with over 450 attendees joining us in person for panel discussions on topics including the influence of Black voices in the British music scene, the significant contributions of women in the health and fitness industries, the rise of influencers transforming their online presence into income and a fireside chat with TV Dragon Sara Davies MBE. We are excited for another year of events and to welcome even more people through our doors, you can keep an eye on our schedule here.
The London Network expands
In the summer we launched a new BIPC in Enfield's Edmonton Green Library, with guests including our Chief Librarian Liz Jolly plus new BIPC Enfield business ambassador and founder of Own The Beach, Lisa Johnson. This is part of our BIPC local offering that brings our business support services to the heart of six London boroughs, also including Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth.
It was another year of achievements for these BIPC Locals. To name just a few, a huge congratulations to Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth on their annual GLL Start-up Business Week which involved a series of panel talks with the likes of Harry Redknapp, to Lewisham on their second anniversary and involvement at The Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards, and to Waltham Forest for their annual Winter Market that showcased products from small businesses to the local community.
Activity across the National Network
2024 was a very busy year across our National Network of BIPCs. Regional centres across the country offered packed schedules of support programmes, expert advice, photography and videography opportunities, workshops, masterclasses, and so much more. There were many successes across for each and every one of our National Network centres, but to just name a few we want to congratulate BIPC Sussex on proudly launching their new BIPC Local in Worthing, BIPC Glasgow on the appointment of the Network's first expert in residence on menopause, Dana Drzikova, and BIPC Oxfordshire on hosting the UK's largest Start-up Huddle monthly event, which regularly attracts over 100 attendees.
A special mention must go to BIPC Liverpool, which was forced to relocate out of the Spellow Library following the riots in August. However, they were able to continue services by taking to the high street and offering direct in-person support to businesses. Fortunately, they have now been able to resume services in the renovated Spellow Library, even more integrated into the local business community than before.
Our free BIPC services could be available on your doorstep. Find your nearest centre here.
Celebrating women entrepreneurs
We proudly hosted an awards ceremony during National Women’s Enterprise Week (NWEW) to celebrate the inspiring finalists of the Women’s Launch Lab incubator programme. Founded by BIPC Ambassador Alison Cork MBE, NWEW supports women entrepreneurs through addressing challenges and promoting equity.
Our start-up support continues
Start-up Day returns in person
Credit: Abi Oshodi
We ended the year on a high when we welcomed hundreds of aspiring and current entrepreneurs to the British Library to celebrate Start-up Day 2024, in celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week. With a packed schedule of talks from industry leaders such as Charlie Bigham and Martha Keith, speed mentoring from experts, and plenty of networking, attendees left inspired and energised to take the next step on their business journey. We even had a special recorded address from Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which celebrated the power of libraries as hubs for fostering entrepreneurial spirit and success.
Credit: A Smile A Day Photography
Start-up Day wasn't just celebrated in London, but across our BIPC national network. From Newcastle to Worthing, 17 of our regional centres put on livestreams, in-person events, panels, mentoring, photography and so much more. It was brilliant to see our BIPC community coming together and a real testament to the breadth and depth of BIPC services across the country.
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make 2024 such an inspiring and eventful year. Here's to 2025!
28 November 2024
A Sustainable Christmas - BIPC Gift Guide
As the festive season approaches, we know it can be hard to find unique, high-quality gifts for your loved ones. Luckily, our incredible BIPC businesses are here to help! By choosing something from our gift guide, you'll not only surprise someone with a great present, but you'll be supporting our vibrant community of small business owners and entrepreneurs. Many of our featured gifts are designed and sustainably made in the UK, so you'll be looking after the planet too.
The most punderful time of the year
Looking for unique Christmas gifts that make everyone smile? Look no further! Mister Peebles, who used our scale-up programme Get Ready for Business Growth, make cards, prints and other paper goods with a sense of pun. Every product begins as a hand-painted watercolour by founder Helen, inspired by her love of animals and playful wordsmithing. Whether it's a card featuring a punful penguin or a whimsical wall print, Mister Peebles' creations are as thoughtful as they are charming. And the best part? These gifts are planet-friendly. Their Christmas cards are printed on recycled coffee cup paper, and everything is made in-house or by local, independent UK printers using sustainable materials.
Cost: £3.50 - £60. Use the code 'BRITISHLIBRARY' for 10% off orders over £10 until the end of Jan 2025.
Where to find: Mister Peebles
Designed for joy
This festive season, choose gifts that make a difference. Designs in Mind are a not-for-profit studio in rural North Shropshire where creativity empowers artists that have been referred from mental health services. Once part of Designs in Mind, their artists use their talent to create high-quality products like cards, prints, tea towels, cushion covers, aprons and more. Through their involvement in the Get Ready for Business Growth programme Designs in Mind were able to develop a marketing strategy that is now being supported by the Baring Foundation.
Cost: £3.50 - £20. Code 'LARKTEN' will give you 10% off the whole store until 21st December.
Where to find: Designs in Mind
Shine bright this season
This Christmas, let your gifts tell a story. Aquila Jewellery brings wanderlust to life with handmade designs inspired by the world’s most captivating corners. Crafted with care from recycled silver and gold, each piece reflects a journey of discovery. The designs come to life in their Brighton shop and are carefully brought into being by talented artisans in Asia and Indonesia. From eco-friendly packaging to partnerships with Responsible Jewellery Council-approved artisans, Aquila Jewellery ensures that every detail, down to the recycling of precious metals, aligns with a vision for a brighter, sustainable future.
Cost: £30 - £300
Where to find: Aquila Jewellery
A sustainable surprise
Surprise your loved ones with unique homeware and lifestyle products from our Get Ready for Business Growth graduate Jessica Anderton. Inspired by Jessica’s original hand-painted artwork, every piece is crafted with care and a commitment to sustainability. From beautifully designed kitchen accessories to statement pieces for the home, Jessica’s collection is perfect for those who love to add a touch of creativity to their living spaces. Each product is made in the UK using environmentally conscious processes and ethically sourced materials, making it a thoughtful choice for eco-conscious gift-giving.
Cost: Various (starting from £5.00). Use code: 'BRITISHLIBRARY' for 10% off your entire order.
Where to find: Jessica Anderton Designs
A crafty little Christmas
Bring elegance to your holidays with Cambridge Imprint’s distinctive patterned papers, stationery and homeware. Through specialist one-to-one sessions during our Get Ready for Business Growth programme, founder Ali was able to formulate a detailed action plan to grow her business and gain confidence to start making changes. Now known for its vibrant colours and hand-stencilled designs inspired by English traditions like the Bloomsbury Group and mid-century modernism, every Cambridge Imprint product adds a touch of timeless charm, perfect for gifting or decorating sustainably.
Cost: Various (From £2.75 to £190).
Where to find: Cambridge Imprints
Deck your halls
This Christmas, give the gift of modern luxury infused with West-African vibrancy. Eva Sonaike’s stunning range of home textiles, soft furnishings and tabletop collections combines bold colours, intricate patterns and African traditions to create truly unique pieces handmade in the UK with the highest attention to detail. Available in prestigious stores like Liberty and Selfridges, Eva Sonaike’s collections bring her design ethos of 'Bringing Colour to Life' to every space. Celebrate the season with designs that radiate warmth and joy, perfect for transforming any home.
Cost: Various
Where to find: Eva Sonaike
Merry and bright
Make your gift-giving truly special with Delmora’s unique jewellery collection, founded by Judy, our BIPC Local in Bromley's business ambassador. Each piece blends luxury with purpose, offering not just beauty but a meaningful story. Their Tree of Life set is adorned with traditional multi-coloured glass beads known in Colombia as chaquiras and is handcrafted to inspire and empower. Plus, their Recycling and Repair Service helps reduce waste and keeps treasured pieces in pristine condition, combining elegance with sustainability.
Cost: £45 - £160
Where to find: Delmora
Unwrap some creativity
Add a touch of festive fun and creativity to your celebrations with Sweet Paper Creations, our wonderful business ambassadors for BIPC Waltham Forest. Perfect for all ages, these kits come in a variety of seasonal designs, making them a memorable present or activity for the whole family. When you buy from Sweet Paper Creations, you’re giving more than a gift: you’re also supporting their interactive workshops and helping them bring mental health support to their local community.
Cost: £25
Where to find: Sweet Paper Creations
'Tis the season to sparkle
Give the gift of timeless elegance this Christmas with Emma Holland’s exquisite fashion jewellery. Designed in the heart of Surrey and crafted by skilled artisans in Thailand, each piece blends modern design with classic sophistication, creating the perfect accessory to express individuality and style. With over 15 years of experience and a dedication to quality, Emma ensures every piece is meticulously crafted to be both beautiful and enduring. To avoid becoming overwhelmed with the strains of running a small business with limited resources, Emma often seeks expertise and support from our Get Ready for Business Growth programme, enabling her to focus on driving her business forward and planing for the future. Support a passionate small business this festive season and make your gifts shine!
Cost: £25 - £120
Where to find: Emma Holland Jewellery
Snap, cracker, pop!
Do you love Christmas crackers but hate all the waste? Keep This Cracker has the answer. Bea Thackeray began her business a decade ago after visiting the BIPC at the British Library to ask about how to commercialise her invention. Keep This Cracker are sustainable alternatives that pull like standard crackers but can be reused by simply replacing the snap. You can fill the crackers yourself with treats your loved ones will actually enjoy and reuse them year after year. They come with ribbons and low-noise ecosnaps that pull with a gentle pop, ideal for those with neurodiverse conditions and pet owners. If you're a fan of pulling a cracker with a bang, Bea sells noisy snaps too.
Cost: £22 for a pack of 6 flat-packed low-noise crackers (noisy snaps sold separately)
Where to find: Keep This Cracker (also available on Not on the High Street and Etsy)
31 October 2024
Happy Halloween:19th century patents to avoid being buried alive!
Today is Halloween, the spookiest day of the year, when our thoughts tend to turn to the dead and other horrors. It’s the perfect time of year, then, to discuss a fear all of us surely have: taphophobia – the fear of being buried alive.
Putting aside the very remote possibility of falling afoul of a drugs cartel (your line of work depending), someone could be buried alive accidently if they are mistakenly presumed dead. This is not as farfetched as you may think, and a quick google search will return some very worrying news stories on the subject.
Being accidently buried alive was probably far more likely before the advent of much of the medical technology doctors employ today, which may explain the abundance of 19th century patents on the subject in our collection. Below are a few of our favourites.
US 81,437 of 1868 – Improved burial-case
This patent is for a coffin with a detachable vertical tube, which, while attached, creates a means of escape for any poor occupant not quite ready for the grave. Air inlets allow anyone alive inside the coffin to breathe freely and a sliding glass lid allows those above ground to check for movement.
If the occupant is too weak to ascend the ladder, they can ring a bell for attention using the cord placed in their hand during burial.
If, after a certain length of time, it is clear the occupant of the coffin is indeed dead, then the tube can be removed (closing the spring-loaded lid of the coffin) and used in another burial.
US of 329,495 of 1885 – Burial-casket
This invention consists of two removable pieces of apparatus (an air pump and an alarm system), which are connected to a coffin buried under ground. Both are activated when a wire attached to the occupant’s hand detects movement, flooding the coffin with air and alerting those above ground to come rescue this poor soul pronto.
The tube of the alarm apparatus also doubles as a way to view the face of the body within the coffin, by means of a lightbulb and a reflector.
Again, when death is more certain, the above ground apparatus can be removed and used in another burial.
US 500,013 of 1893 – Coffin signal
This invention is intended to alert those above ground that someone is still alive inside a coffin, but it feels a little too easy to miss. But we’re skipping ahead. Mechanisms are placed on the body, hands, and head of the coffin's occupant, and are designed to detect the slightest movement. If movement is detected, a spring-loaded device will raise a signal above the coffin. Looking at the patent illustration, this appears to be a mop. Luckily, this also opens a passageway for air to enter the coffin, as it could be some time before someone happens to walk by.
GB 4,626 of 1896 – Preserving dead bodies from decaying
No picture for this one (and preventing premature burial is only a side benefit), but it is one of our favourite British patent specifications, that just so happens to be perfect for Halloween, with lines such as:
'In fact it will lessen the horror of dying in knowing that when we die our bodies will be preserved and not be a meal for worms, insects, rats, mice and the like. Spirit will also revive the seeming dead.'
Anyway, one for the pickling fans out there.
US 658,247 of 1900 – Apparatus for preventing premature burial
This invention is unlike the others, as it’s designed to be used pre-burial.
It’s quite an ambitious patent really, as it describes an ‘observation chamber’ with tracks on the floor (for ease of movement of the coffins) and side rooms for a furnace and an air pump.
In the centre of the main room sit several airtight ‘observation receptacles’ (complete with glass tops), into which the coffins are wheeled (also complete with glass tops). An air and exhaust pipe ensure a steady flow of fresh air to the potentially still alive occupant. The exhaust pipe leads to the furnace, meaning any ‘obnoxious or infectious gases’ are drawn off and burnt.
As in other patents, an alarm system is placed inside the coffin to detect any movement. Then it’s a case of waiting. Either for the occupant waking up, or for a clearer confirmation of death. In which case the body can be buried safely.
Bonus patent: US 208,672 of 1878 – Improvement in coffin-torpedoes
This invention is slightly off topic, but it’s being included as a bonus as it is on the theme of burial and, quite frankly, sounds bonkers. The torpedo (stay with me) is placed inside a coffin prior to burial and is designed to go off if anyone attempts to remove the body – severely injuring or killing the grave robber. Good luck with that one future archaeologists!
It would probably also be useful for those worried about zombie resurrections as well.
Happy Halloween! Hopefully no one reading this will wake up wishing you had one of these someday.
If you want to find out more about how the different kinds of IP can benefit your business, you can sign up to our online webinars or attend our Kickstart Your Business workshops.
Written by Steven Campion, Subject Librarian at the British Library
24 October 2024
From Coca-Cola to KFC: uncovering a spooky intellectual property secret
One type of IP is more unknown and mysterious than all the others. Its hiddenness makes it special and used in the right way can be just as powerful. It’s called a trade secret and is a type of IP protection that can be pure business alchemy.
Trade secrets are different from patents in many ways, although both need to be kept confidential (for patents until the patent application is eventually filed).
In the UK, trade secrets come under two types of law; the common law of confidentiality and information that by definition falls under the Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018.
Common law confidentiality arises when ‘information with the necessary quality of confidence is imparted in a situation imposing an obligation of confidence’.
You can see them both as mutually complementary with some overlap. Both aspects carry a strength, just like a two-headed hydra. Think of a witch’s brew, filled with spooky secrets and bubbling with powerful potential.
There are so many trade secrets concealed around the world, but some are more famous than others.
Does anyone really know the secret formula for Coca-Cola? Apparently not (although it hasn’t stopped other brands from trying to work it out). In the company’s own words, ‘the formula for making Coca-Cola is a trade secret. We have protected the special taste of Coca-Cola for more than 130 years. Only the Coca-Cola Company knows how to make Coca-Cola’.
The mystique behind the Coca-Cola formula is so famous, that the company has it locked away inside a vault on display in the Coca-Cola museum, Atlanta, USA.
However, what if your trade secret isn’t cooking, but computing? Yes, there are plenty of secrets in technology too, especially software. Search engines such as Google (parent company Alphabet) have built an entire business model on algorithms that effectively rank information for ease of finding.
The algorithm has been developed and refined over many years of testing and trading. Recent news of a leak of an AI related trade secret have sent the company into a tailspin resulting in a criminal case been filed. Part of a secret was out.
Any leak of a highly guarded secret can bring major consequences for any company and so protecting these secrets becomes paramount. Once the witch’s secret cat is out of the bag, it’s out. Therefore, businesses will do everything to protect their secrets with the legal equivalent of an ancient curse.
Woe will to any soul who breaks the secret seal on any trade secret! The curse will come through prosecution.
How to protect your trade secret
Which raises a pressing question, how does a company or individual protect themselves from having their secrets stolen?
The answer will depend on the circumstances, and professional legal help is always advisable. Generally the secret is best protected in-house by firstly limiting exposure to a set number of individual(s) on a need to know basis only. Therefore, every company should have a confidentiality process in place backed up in employment contracts.
Furthermore, before any sharing of a secret to a third party it is highly advisable to protect it with a non-disclosure agreement.
Trade secrets are unregistered intellectual property rights. This simply means there is no register of them or requirement for application. This is unlike patents, designs and trade marks. Controlling access to the secret is through contracts based on the law of confidentiality and specific regulations covering trade secrets.
This in some circumstances can be an advantage over patents. A patent, although initially secret will eventually be published before it can be granted to the inventor. The quid pro quo is then a monopoly on the technology or technique for twenty years. If you want to look at alternative ways to protect your process, then exploring trade secrets as a viable alternative could be the way to go.
If you’d like to find out more about the magic combination of all the different types of IP, then our Introduction to Intellectual Property workshops and webinars will do the trick.
Spook your competition and keep your trade secrets close
Your trade secret is truly a magical thing that spooks your competition. It has all the mystique you need to creates an aura of mystery in your business and spellbind your customers. They will want to keep coming back for more, hooked on the power of your hidden magic.
So this Halloween, do not be scared to find and use your business’s secret spell. The treat is always in a secret trick.
16 October 2024
How to set up a food business: hear from the experts this World Food Day
09 April 2024
National Siblings Day: On building businesses together with Cultureville
To celebrate National Siblings Day we caught up with Ronke Jane, who founded fashion business Cultureville in 2018 with her sister Adeola. The African-inspired fashion brand specialise in hand-crafted clothing and accessories that feature bold African wax prints in contemporary designs. Cultureville utilised BIPC Greater Manchester to get support for their business, particularly through their social media workshops, and have also been receiving mentorship on our Get Ready For Business Growth programme.
What made you decide to set up a business with your sister?
Getting into business with my sister was a very practical decision: Adeola was in Nigeria and could be really hands-on with our production team and I was living in the UK and could take charge of our distribution. Our skills were also very complimentary - I was great with the technology aspects of our business which was invaluable for digital marketing and e-commerce whilst Adeola's background as a lawyer was vital for managing the commercial side of things, so it worked out well!
What is it like having a sibling as a business partner?
Like most things, it comes with its benefits and challenges, but for us the positives far outweigh the negatives. I get to work with my best friend which is amazing and even in the difficult times I know she will always have my back. On the flip side we spend a lot of time together which can be overwhelming and it's hard to switch off from work when we're together. Furthermore, family issues can really impact the business because they impact you both at the same time. Ultimately working together has actually brought us closer, we understand each other better and our conflict resolution has improved.
Is it hard to separate family time and work time?
Definitely! I'd say separating work and family time is one of the most challenging parts of going into business with your sibling, you have to make sure you're spending quality time just as siblings outside of work which can be hard because you already spend a lot of time together.
What advice do you have to anyone who is looking to go into business with a family member?
Communication is really important, don't make assumptions on what they are thinking, feeling or doing based on your relationship - having regular meetings where you can lovingly and honestly address your grievances really help with this. Keep it professional - you may be family but work is work so don't bring personal issues into the mix. Understand that you're a team: don't spend energy fighting each other when you can spend it on pursuing your goals.
Sound like something you could do? If you'd like to look into setting up a business with a family member, a friend or even on your own, visit your nearest BIPC and find out how they can help today.
12 February 2024
Show small businesses some love
February is a month in which high street shops are adorned with hearts and flowers, and products are often tailored to reflect the theme of love. However it can be more than just a time for romantic gestures, and also a chance to treat yourself and your loved ones while also showing your local business community some love.
Below you can find a selection of luxurious products from the entrepreneurs supported by our Business & IP Centres (BIPCs) across the UK. Whether you're looking for self-care treats, or thoughtful gestures for friends and family, you’ll also help support our vibrant community of small business owners.
Give something scent-sational
Sarah McCartney, who used our scale-up programme Get Ready for Business Growth, has always had a passion for making her own scents. Her award-winning fragrance, Goddess of Love & Perfume, is dedicated to Aphrodite and how she imagined the perfume she would be wearing if she descended to the North York Moors. Treat yourself or your loved ones to this luxurious perfume, a blend of all the fruit and flower materials we love best: rose, violet, raspberry, blackcurrant, bergamot and Mandarin.
Cost: £60 for 15ml, £150 for 50ml
Where to find: 4160 Tuesdays
A sweet surprise
Vicky Armitage used BIPC North East to research the trends in healthy eating and chocolate, and her business produces raw cacao bars made from organic and nutritious ingredients. With flavours ranging from roasted almond to orange and raw caramel, these bars create a healthier alternative to chocolate that is just as delicious. All ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced and the packaging is recyclable, so you can give a gift that does good!
Cost: £4 each (10% off if you buy 4 or more)
Where to find: Meraki cacao
Wrapped up in elegance
Get Ready for Business Growth participant Rory Hutton's products are perfect if you're looking for some luxury. Rory is an award-winning, Cambridge-based artist, print maker, and historian. Drawing upon many inspirations, including architecture, theatre, opera and dance, his collections of silk scarves are testament to the strength of his passion for beautiful things and creative flair. With designs inspired by Shakespeare's First Folio and beautiful manor gardens, these scarves hold a timeless beauty that will add a touch of elegance to any outfit.
Cost: £45 - £200
Where to find: Rory Hutton
Good enough to eat
Amarachi Clarke completed our Innovating for Growth programme (which has now been succeeded by Get Ready for Business Growth) and used the BIPC resources to research the chocolate market. After teaching herself to make chocolate at home she learned that the bean-to-bar quality chocolate could be much better than that available in the mass market, even than perceived luxury brands. From a selection of tasty chocolate bars to Belize cacao infused gin, Lucocoa offer high-quality, delicious products that will make the perfect gift.
Cost: Chocolate bars start at £2.75
Where to find: Lucocoa Chocolate
12 January 2024
2023: Our business journey continues
As we embark on another exciting year at the Business & IP Centre, we are looking back at just some of the highlights from 2023, both for the Centre and among our network of users, supporters and partners. From the launch of our Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 report to the opening of more BIPCs across the UK, it certainly was a busy year!
The London Network continues to grow
January saw the launch of Start Up Wandsworth in York Gardens Library, who also opened another business hub in Putney Library later on in the year. This is part of our BIPC local offering that brings our business support services to the heart of five London boroughs, also including Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham and Waltham Forest.
Start-Up Day never goes out of style
Start-Up Day returned in February with events taking place across the National Network. This jam-packed day consisted of speed-mentoring, informative talks, free IP support and networking opportunities aimed at helping creative businesses thrive in the arts and culture sector. We finished off the day with our Inspiring Entrepreneurs - The Changing Face of Fashion event at the British Library, in which a panel of industry experts, including Patrick Grant, discussed the latest trends in the fast-paced fashion industry.
Kickstart Your Business is born
In February we also launched Kickstart Your Business, our programme designed to deliver grass roots business support and expert advice in libraries across London through two-days of free workshops, supported by JP Morgan. We delivered over 30 workshops in 2023, and we look forward to continue to support entrepreneurs across the capital this year.
Championing women in business
We celebrated International Women's Day in March across our network of libraries. BIPC Devon launched their 12-week Women in Business programme, delivered by Devon-based Business Women to empower others to realise their full potential and pursue their dream careers. Our Inspiring Entrepreneurs - Disruptors and Influencers event took place at the British Library and focused on the 2023 Women's Month theme of Embracing Equity; topics discussed included shifting the image of women in business, and how we can best embrace and encourage diversity and inclusion in business for colleagues and peers from marginalised communities.
Success for the National Network
In April several of our National Network BIPCs, made up of 22 regional and 90 local BIPCs across the UK, secured additional funding from UKSPF, ensuring they continue to be a vibrant hub of support to small businesses until March 2025. Entrepreneurs and innovators in various regions can count on continued access to resources, expertise, and opportunities provided by their local BIPC, find yours.
Serving up more events
Our Inspiring Entrepreneurs - The Business of Food: From Farm to Fork event took place in May, as part of the British Library’s Food Season celebrations. We were joined by culinary experts Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, The Black Farmer, and Thomasina Miers OBE, founder of Wahaca, who discussed emerging trends in the food industry, the changing image of food on the high street and the ways we can be more sustainable with our food choices.
Honouring women's enterprise
We held an event in June to honour National Women's Enterprise Week, led by our ambassador Alison Cork. The panel discussion featured four exceptional women we have supported throughout their entrepreneurial journey - Cultureville, #ChalkandBlade, Pageful Productions and Skin Solace. They shared their first-hand experiences, discussing the realities, benefits, and challenges of being women in business and provided invaluable insights to empower other women navigating similar journeys. We are immensely proud to have supported not only these extraordinary women but also over 92,000 individuals since 2020. Among them, 63% are women, 32% of whom were from a Black, Asian and ethnic minority and 13% disabled - reflecting our commitment to fostering gender equality in entrepreneurship.
Double celebrations
July gave us lots to celebrate as the British Library turned 50, and we launched our independent Democratising Entrepreneurship 2.0 report at the House of Lords. The report shows that Department for Culture, Media and Sport funding between April 2020 and March 2023 has helped grow our Network from 13 to over 100 libraries.
Art meets business
BIPC Liverpool City Region teamed up with Liverpool Art Fair throughout the summer in support of businesses in the art industry, in which they held Entrepreneur in Residence Clinics and hosted a number of events which gave support and advice to artists and others in creative industries. The 6-week exhibition culminated with an interview with BBC Radio Merseyside’s Claire Hamilton and Faith Bebbington, nationally renowned sculptor who is living with cerebral palsy and has survived cancer. She has since become a BIPC Liverpool client, and we have provided her with one-to-one support on her legal contracts and marketing.
Our BIPC local turns one
September marked the 1st anniversary of our BIPC local in Lewisham. To celebrate we ran an out of home awareness campaign, supported by Lewisham Council, with over 50 outdoor placements to promote the BIPC services in Lewisham. We also published this blog where we caught up with our Lewisham business ambassadors and heard about their journey with us.
Black History Month celebrations
To celebrate Black History Month in October we hosted our seventh Inspiring Entrepreneurs event of the year: Saluting our Sisters, honouring Black women in business. Our panel of visionary women shared their journeys to success, how they overcame challenges and discussed the evolving business landscape. We ended the evening with a fireside chat with Sabrina Dhowre Elba, CEO, Model and Activist.
The National Network expands
In November BIPC Nottinghamshire opened a business hub in Nottingham Central Library, and enjoyed a launch event to celebrate their new space. Our interactive map also went live this month, which allows users around the UK to locate their nearest BIPC: you can find yours here.
BIPC takeover
Throughout November and December we ran a large scale out of home campaign in London to promote our overall BIPC services at the British Library and the Kickstart Your Business workshops taking place in our London Network libraries. This involved advertisement at bus stops, underground and rail stations, and other outdoor placements across the capital.
Wrapping up the year
We ended the year on a festive high with Winter Markets taking place in some of our libraries around the UK. This featured local businesses coming together to showcase and sell their products just in time for Christmas. We also curated our annual BIPC Festive Gift Guide, sharing gift ideas from small businesses around the UK who have used BIPC services.
Innovation and enterprise blog recent posts
- International LEGO Day: a history of LEGO and our favourite patents
- Make Matisse your own: public domain and copyright in 2025
- 2024 at the BIPC: a year of business growth
- A Sustainable Christmas - BIPC Gift Guide
- Happy Halloween:19th century patents to avoid being buried alive!
- From Coca-Cola to KFC: uncovering a spooky intellectual property secret
- How to set up a food business: hear from the experts this World Food Day
- National Siblings Day: On building businesses together with Cultureville
- Show small businesses some love
- 2023: Our business journey continues
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