Trade Marks 4 You

24/05/2026

Planning to build sandcastles at the beach this bank holiday? Don’t forget your bucket.

In 1901, inventors Ewing J. Denney and John Jolley patented improvements to toy buckets (GB190117788A), adding ornamental design features that helped children pack sand, turn the bucket upside down and create perfectly shaped sand pies.

23/05/2026

Did you know that original knitting patterns are protected by UK copyright law?

The written instructions in a knitting pattern are protected by copyright as literary works, even if they are mostly letters and numbers.

Read our Copyright Notice on knitting patterns to learn more: https://bit.ly/43noiuM

17/05/2026

What if your shoes didn’t just walk but bounced back?

In 1986, John Stuart James Waldron and Wendy Dawn Waldron filed a patent for sprung footwear, describing footwear designed to add a spring‑loaded effect to walking and jumping.

Using coil springs and a curved base, the design shows how inventive engineering can be applied to everyday items, even something as familiar as footwear, in unexpected ways.

30/04/2026

29/04/2026

What is intellectual property?

It's something you create with your mind such as:
• invention
• a story
• artwork
• symbol.

Want to learn more? Check out our guide for details [link]: https://www.gov.uk/intellectual-property-an-overview/protect-your-intellectual-property
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Beth yw eiddo deallusol?

Mae'n rhywbeth rydych chi'n ei greu gyda'ch meddwl fel:
• dyfais
• stori
• gwaith celf
• symbol

Eisiau dysgu rhagor? Edrychwch ar ein canllaw am fanylion [dolen]: https://www.gov.uk/eiddo-deallusol-trosolwg/diogelu-eich-eiddo-deallusol

23/04/2026

Check out our free IPO 'Apply for a patent' guidance pages!

To apply for a patent your invention must be:

▫️new, not publicly available
▫️inventive
▫️something usable or a process

Learn more about applying for a patent [link]: https://gov.uk/patent-your-invention

19/04/2026

As we count down to 2026, we are looking at how patents protect innovation in sport.

In 1993, Dunlop Limited patented a cricket bat design that reflected how sports equipment can evolve, combining a synthetic body with a traditional wooden striking face.

14/04/2026

From the pitch to the rink, innovation plays a key role in the way sport evolves.

For , we are showcasing how patents help protect these ideas. One example is GB2279574A, a patent filed in 1993 by R J Mobility Limited, for a wheelchair attachment that enables controlled use of a ball or puck.

05/04/2026

It’s Good Friday and Easter treats are everywhere!

From chocolate shapes to iconic wrappers, many of your favourites are protected by IP. Cadbury’s Creme Egg, for example, has branding covered by trade mark UK00003384905.

Explore more Easter trade marks with our search tool [link]: https://www.gov.uk/search-for-trademark

27/03/2026

Are you up to date with the IPO’s fee changes coming 1 April 2026?

See the full list of new fees at this [link]: https://bit.ly/fees2025sm