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
Over the year, we hosted more than 70 Kickstart Your Business workshops in both the British Library and our BIPC Locals across London. Supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co, we look forward to continuing to provide grass roots business support and expert start-up advice to aspiring entrepreneurs through libraries throughout the capital.
"The workshops were extremely inspiring and they've helped me focus on the next steps towards my business idea becoming a reality" - Kickstart Your Business programme participant
You can register for the free workshops now.
Championing business growth
Credit: Luca Sage
Our Get Ready for Business Growth scale-up programme, funded by Arts Council England, wrapped up in September, having supported an incredible 203 creative businesses across the last two years of delivery. The programme offers a free, three-month long online course of tailored consultancy to scale-ups and will be relaunching this Spring for businesses in all sectors, so contact [email protected] if you’d like to find out more!
"I feel as if I have been picked up, shaken out and stood on my feet again ready to face [the year ahead] knowing where I'm headed and how to get there." – Sarah McCartney, Founder of 4160Tuesdays, Get Ready for Business Growth alumni
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!
16 December 2024
£42 million of unwanted Christmas gifts end up in landfill every year - here's how small businesses are combatting Christmas waste
As much as we love the festive season here at the BIPC, we don't love the amount of waste it produces. Small businesses supported by BIPCs across the country like Bea Thackeray's Keep This Cracker are leading the sustainability drive to innovate and reduce waste at Christmas. In this blog, we spoke to Bea about how her reusable Christmas cracker business began and how she is working hard to change how we consider consumerism at Christmas.
Following on from our sustainability themed Christmas gift guide, we caught up with Bea to learn more about what running a sustainable business is really like, how small businesses can lead the sustainability charge, and some key tips and tricks for how to have a less wasteful Christmas.
1. Tell us about how your business started.
Back in 2000 I co-founded a small graphic design agency. We liked to give our clients festive gifts and one year we decided on bespoke Christmas crackers. We had the designs handmade in Nepal by a Fair Trade project. They were made using beautiful handmade paper which was too strong to tear, so I began to look at making them reusable. The seed of an idea grew and in 2013 I launched Keep This Cracker. The crackers have since evolved and are now made in the UK using sustainable card. My business has steadily grown with the increasing interest in sustainability. My products are sold across various channels: 'Keep This Cracker' webshop, Not on the High Street and Etsy. I also supply galleries, visitor centres and independent retailers across the UK.
2. What inspired you to start a sustainable business?
Social corporate responsibility and ethical principles have long been in my blood. I began my career at The Body Shop in the early '90s, where I progressed to a senior designer role responsible for accessories and gift packaging. I worked very closely with the founder Anita Roddick for 12 years. It's where I developed my passion for Fair Trade and then went on to work as a consultant with Traidcraft for eight years, travelling to Africa and across Asia delivering training programs on marketing and product development to SME's. So when I started Keep This Cracker, I drew on all my past experience and created a product that would tick all the boxes. Here are some of the USP's.
The crackers come flat-packed ready to pop into shape and fill with the customers' own choice of gifts.
Free from single-use plastic.
The packaging is minimal and reusable, designed for customers to keep and store their crackers away for another day.
The ribbons are made in the UK using yarn made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Not only are the crackers fully recyclable, the kraft crackers and card wallets are compostable too.
All component parts and packaging are made by UK based manufacturers and always have been.
The most unique selling point is that Keep This Cracker comes with low-noise ecosnaps designed to be neuro-inclusive. They are pet-friendly too. But for those who like their crackers with a bang they work equally well with noisy snaps.
3. Do you think small businesses are better equipped to tackle sustainability issues?
I have seen some amazing ideas and inventions come from small and micro businesses. Sometimes these can come out of necessity when resources are tight, it forces you to think outside the box and find creative ways to save on materials and cut down on processes. But above all we are more nimble and able to adapt and pivot to meet market needs and most importantly stay ahead of the curve.
4. How do you think customer expectations of ethical purchases have changed?
In the last five years I have noticed a distinct shift in public awareness about the environment and ethical issues in general. When I began my business over 10 years ago, very few people were talking about sustainability least of all reusing anything. The idea of reusable Christmas crackers was a hard sell, but I stuck with it as I believed it was the right thing to do. But conversations are very different now as more people are fed up with waste creating products. With the introduction of more legislation banning an increasing number of disposables and plastics, I believe this is creating a behavioural change across society. Customers are genuinely interested to know how and where products are made and this is changing their purchasing habits. They are more likely to boycott brands that are misbehaving and will actively source alternative solutions.
5. What advice would you give to other businesses looking to become more sustainable?
My most important recommendation is to listen to your customers, ask them questions and get to know their needs and expectations.
We should all be aware of the ever changing landscape and continue to make improvements in the way we run our businesses. Many are not aware that by my making small changes they can help the environment and save themselves money in the process. Joining like-minded organisations and attending targeted networking events is a great way to learn about all aspects of sustainability such as forms of accreditation, the available funding and how to begin the journey to net zero.
6. How has the BIPC helped your business start up and grow?
Before I launched my product, I visited the patent office at the British Library in London. I attended workshops about bringing your invention to market, and went on to file my first patent application. Now that I’m based in Greater Manchester, I was delighted to learn that a similar facility is available here.
I have received expert advice through the BIPC on various aspects of intellectual property including trademark and design registration, which has been instrumental in protecting my designs and the brand. I have also attended, as well as taken part in, workshops and shared my journey with budding entrepreneurs. It's a valuable resource for networking and learning whether you are a seasoned business owner or a start-up.
7. This Christmas, lots of our readers will be looking to make more sustainable swaps. What would be your top 3-5 tips for a more eco-friendly and less wasteful festive period?
In the UK we discard 30% more rubbish over the festive season than the rest of the year. That's about 3 million tonnes. Here are some tips on how we can save on this shocking amount of waste.
108 million rolls of wrapping paper are used in the UK every year most of which can't be recycled and is binned. Instead, we can;
Keep and reuse our wrapping paper,
Use recyclable kraft paper and jazz it up with coloured ribbon or jute string,
Buy festive gift bags or gift boxes that often get passed on and reused,
Or invest in some fabric wrap and learn about the Japanese art of Furoshiki.
1.6 million advent calendars made of card, including foil and single-use plastic are discarded and if they end up going in the recycling they can contaminate the process. There are many imaginative options on offer that you can keep and use year after year, including;
Fabric wall hangings with mini pockets,
Small wooden chests in all shapes and sizes,
Bunting can be used to hang gift boxes or bags,
These can all be filled with your own gifts instead of the usual cheap chocolates.
6 million Christmas trees are thrown away in the UK equating to 9000 tonnes of waste and high levels of dangerous methane. 80% of the trees sold are Nordmann Firs. A six foot tall tree will take 10-12 years to grow. Buying an artificial tree, although made of plastic and non-recyclable, it can last for well over 10 years, but this needs to be measured against what happens when it is finally disposed of. There are schemes where you can rent a tree from a grower and return it year after year. Increasingly more trees being sold in pots.
£42 million worth of unwanted gifts end up in landfill. On average a child may receive 16 toys each. As we are all looking to spend more wisely this year, we could put our minds to more meaningful choices such as;
Experiences and days out,
Theatre or concert tickets,
Vouchers for classes and fun activities,
Family members could club together and buy a more precious gift that will be cherished.
You can find Bea's products at keepthiscracker.com. To find your local BIPC and find out how we can help your business, search for your area on our map here.
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)
07 November 2024
Why should you attend Start-up Day 2024?
With less than two weeks to go until Start-up Day, the chance to boost your business for free, we reached out to some of our delivery partners who you can expect to meet on the day to find out more about what you can expect, as well as get some business insights and advice.
Whether you're just starting up, looking to grow or simply have a brilliant business idea, Start-up Day is for everyone. Find out more and book here.
Become informed, inspired and empowered
"Starting your own business – and succeeding in it - can be both daunting and lonely, but also really rewarding. Start-up Day is the ideal opportunity to become informed, inspired and empowered. You can enjoy a day of talks and advice from entrepreneurs and business specialists, plus it’s a great way to meet and network with like-minded, budding business owners like yourself.
I will be co-hosting the event, which means I’ll get to welcome everyone, introduce our amazing speakers and get to meet and talk with many of the wonderful attendees between sessions throughout the day.
My advice to someone starting out is to pick a business that is related to your passions, talent and heart. This will ensure that you really have that energy and drive that you will need to succeed. It is also vital that you research, attend events, get informed and test the water of your ideas.
The Business & IP Centre is the ideal way to do that with all sorts of resources, information, one-to-ones, webinars and events to help you. Finally, take care of yourself and your health and foster a healthy mindset – see it as an ongoing learning journey, not a short sprint."
- Rasheed Ogunlaru, Coach, Speaker and Author
Fresh ideas and unique approaches
"Start-up Day is an invaluable opportunity to gain insights from a diverse group of industry experts in an engaging and inspirational setting. I strongly encourage you to attend sessions led by professionals from sectors outside your own, as their perspectives can provide fresh ideas and unique approaches to your business or concept.
As a business advice partner of the BIPC, I’ll be participating in the speed-mentoring sessions, where you’ll have the chance to connect with a variety of experts and receive tailored guidance and inspiration specific to your goals. This fast-paced format is designed to be dynamic, enjoyable, and highly creative.
So what are you waiting for?"
- Peter Schonbeck, Founder of Productschön Consulting
Turn your potential into performance
"Start-up Day is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to gain valuable insights, network with like-minded individuals and access resources that can significantly boost their business growth.
I'm excited to offer a dynamic speed mentoring session on Start-up Day, where I'll delve into the intricacies of marketing, sales, and business growth. With a focus on practical, real-world strategies, attendees will leave with personalised insights and actionable plans designed to propel their businesses to new heights. It's all about turning potential into performance!
If you're looking to start-up, my advice is that consistency is key. Develop a clear marketing strategy and stick to it, while remaining adaptable to changes in the market."
- Rebecca Thomson, Director of Local Marketing Made Easy
A raft of free business support
"Start-up Day is an amazing opportunity to access a raft of free business support and guidance from industry experts, including inspirational talks and speed mentoring, all in one place
I will be taking part in the two speed mentoring sessions where entrepreneurs will get the chance to seek advice from myself and a team of mentors. We’ll be covering areas such as intellectual property, business strategy, routes to market, marketing and finance.
My advice to someone starting up would be to develop a business plan that is underpinned by market research. Your research should help you to understand the market segment you plan to operate in, identify any problems/pain points that you can provide solutions to, identify your target customers and key competitors. The BIPC is a great start with access to sector specific market research databases, free of charge."
- Alison Lewy MBE, Founder of Fashion Angel
Entrepreneurial inspiration
"Start-up Day is an event of entrepreneurial inspiration and practical advice. On the day I'll be hosting a session focused on food and hospitality businesses. Whether you're thinking about selling homemade cupcakes or opening a full-scale coffee shop or restaurant, I'll answer your specific questions.
One key piece of advice I always emphasise is to start small and test your ideas in the market before launching on a larger scale. This approach allows you to refine your concept and minimize risks."
- Vasken Jermakian, Foodication Restaurants Ltd
It's fast, fun and very creative
"Start-up Day is the perfect chance to hear from multiple experts in a fun and inspirational way. Definitely make sure to check out experts from industries that are not your own, as they might give you a new way of looking at your business or business idea!
I will be part of the speed-mentoring sessions, where you get to meet all kinds of experts and get inspired by their advice and ideas related to your business. It's fast, fun and very creative.
My advice to someone just starting out is to set aside time every week to think strategically, maybe an hour or so, then every month a whole day. So many people get caught up in the doing-doing-doing without giving themselves time to think about the big picture or learn more so they can do even better. Start-up Day is a great opportunity to think and learn for a day."
- Melissa Addey, Author and Writer
Network as much as possible
"At Start-up Day you'll meet new people, share ideas and learn something too. No matter what stage of business you're at, networking and getting out and about are key!
I will be on hand to help guide entrepreneurs and share some of my 20 years of business experience.
My early stage business advice is firstly to network as much as possible with potential partners, funders, suppliers and of course customers. Secondly, test your idea before officially going to market as it can save a lot of time and money in the long run."
- Michael Murdoch, Founder of The House
Start-up Day takes place at the British Library on Tuesday 19 November. You can discover secrets to success from renowned industry leaders like Charlie Bigham, network with like-minded entrepreneurs and get a professional headshot to enhance your brand. Plus, you can explore our dedicated BIPC area in the British Library and connect with industry experts at our speed mentoring sessions. Book now.
You can also join us later for an inspiring evening with TV Dragon and business mogul, Sara Davies MBE. You'll hear about her journey to success and get the chance to ask her your burning questions. Book your tickets here.
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
01 August 2024
Who owns the Olympics? How Intellectual Property supports Olympic excellence
The greatest sporting show on Earth has begun, as Paris has now officially launched the XXXIII Olympiad, the third time the City of Light has hosted the summer Olympic Games. The expected hype that goes with the most famous sporting spectacle in the world has not disappointed. Nor yet are the hopes of the many Olympians eagerly awaiting their chance to mount the podium in gold and glory.
The image of the Olympics has attained the true status of iconic - a word that is entirely accurate for the values and memories of millions. How can its magic be bottled or valued? We all have experienced that uniqueness, and we even own a tiny part of it. Who would not buy a badge or a memento to mark the celebration?
The ‘bottling’ and ‘packaging’ of sporting stardust is down to one thing, its intellectual property (IP). The International Olympic Committee (IOC) who oversee, organise and promote the games worldwide understand this entirely, and harness IP for the broader movement’s benefit: it is their own powerful asset, monetised to benefit sporting participation around the world.
So, what exactly is it? How do you ‘sell’ the Olympics?
Olympic IP Rights
The most recognisable emblem of the Olympics would have to be the five famous Olympic Rings. First created in 1913, they represent the five continents of the world, incorporating all the colours of the flags of nations who compete. Pierre de Coubertin, one of the co-founders of the modern Games, drew and coloured the original by hand.
Today the rings are a trade mark, and visually represent all that the Olympics stands for. Being able to use them is to be officially associated with the IOC and its movement. That has real value.
However, it is not only the famous rings that are owned and carefully managed; there are Olympic phrases too. Would you like to use the word Olympian in your marketing campaign? Best not to, because the IOC owns the commercial usage of that word. As well as the words: Olympic(s), Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games and Olympic torch, among many others associated with the games.
Many more even include slogans. Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together, the most famous phrase for the games.
Olympic ‘Property’
These trademarks among its many other designs and creations are regarded as the IOC’s properties. The IOC defines its properties in its Olympics Charter as those things that ‘refer to the Olympic symbol, flag, motto, anthem, identifications (including Olympic or Olympic Games), and any musical, audio-visual or creative works created in connection with the Olympic Games.’
It’s not only the trade marks it owns, but emblems, mascots, torches, posters and pictograms (an image or symbol used to represent words or ideas). The peripheral design assets also carry the spirit and memory of each Olympiad. I know this myself, as I owned a badge from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics that my dad brought back on a business trip. That’s the reason I remember those games being so young (as well as the 84 glitzy grand pianos playing in unison at the opening ceremony – one to look-up).
The other IP rights of copyright and registered design are part of the IP package of protection and utilised fully by the IOC. Another piece of favourite memorabilia is old Olympic Posters. Looking at how the designs have changed over the 20th century and into the 21st is a visual lesson in the evolving look and styles of the advancing decades.
These are just a few of the multiple properties that are utilised for best commercial impact. You can see the various kinds they own on the IOC’s page, dedicated to managing their IP assets.
Laws and treaties supporting the Olympics' IP
There is also something unique about how the IP rights of the Olympics are enforced. Many countries around the world (the UK included) have adopted IP protection for Olympic assets in its own statute books. We have the Olympic Symbol, etc (Protection) Act 1995 and subsequent amendments for the London 2012 Olympics.
Other countries may opt to be a signatory to the 1981 Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol.
This is a recognition of the unique cultural value of the games: its non-partisan and unifying ethos that many countries recognise value and sign up to in principle. It adds to its specialness.
Income in licencing
All these Olympic properties are able to benefit others, but under the strict conditions of a licence. This is typical of every other form of intellectual property, it can be ‘rented out’ to others for commercial or non-profit use.
The World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has some helpful information on IP and the Olympics. On merchandising, it states that ‘by maintaining high merchandising standards, they act as creative and pro-active custodians of the Olympic brand, enhancing the Olympic image and ensuring quality goods for the public.’
This partnership with the private sector helps to keep the Olympic image current and relevant. It is a very convenient two-way street as sponsors will pay top dollar to have rights and association with the sporting movement. Sponsorship revenue for the Paris games is estimated to exceed £1.08 billion.
Having official sponsors and licences is also a safeguard against anyone trading off the image and rights of the IOC. The problem can range from the serious issue of counterfeit goods or even businesses large and small trying to cash in on the mood. Infringement takes potential revenue away from supporting sports and participation around the world.
Olympian IP direct to your home
As you watch and enjoy the incredible, inspiring feats of sporting brilliance, there is a single reason why we can all enjoy it: the Olympics has retained its value for everybody. This is only because of IP and its effective use by the IOC and its affiliates. They have been highly effective and successful in how it has managed and controlled its ‘property’.
The Olympic brand has such high esteem because of intellectual property. It will continue to do so as it builds on its legacy of heroes and Olympic hopefuls of the future.
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 Jeremy O’Hare, Research and Business Development Manager at the BIPC.
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.
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