Why didnt LEGO renew their patent?

LEGO had created their own version of the product in Denmark starting in 1949. But they never patented it because they didn’t invent it. And because the Kiddicraft bricks were never patented in Denmark, LEGO was free to make their own version– the Automatic Binding Brick.

Has the Lego patent expired?

Ever since its patents expired, Lego has sought to carve out the shape of the Lego brick from the public domain and reclaim its monopoly by asserting other types of IP rights, including copyrights, design rights, and most recently trade marks.

Does LEGO have a patent on the brick?

Not just another brick The company registered the new brick after the court and the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled in 2008 and 2010, respectively, that the classic LEGO brick does not enjoy patent protection because its design is dictated by its technical function.

When did the Lego brick patent expire?

The patents on Lego’s brick design began expiring in the early 2000s; the original patent expired in 2011, and despite many attempts by Lego to get its patents extended indefinitely and then to trademark the design, the company was eventually forced to admit that innovation was its only road to continued success.

How long do toy patents last?

20 years
How Long Do IPR Rights Last? A U.S. utility patent, explained above, is generally granted for 20 years from the date the patent application is filed; however, periodic fees are required to maintain the enforceability of the patent.

When did Lego get their patent?

Sixty years ago, on January 28, 1958, Godtfred Kirk Christiansen filed an application for a patent in Denmark for a toy building block, the Lego. Thanks to the patent, Lego Group—the Lego block manufacturer—became one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world.

Who are Lego competitors?

LEGO’s top competitors include Mattel, Hasbro, Bandai Namco and New Bright. LEGO is a company that develops, produces, markets, and sells play materials. Mattel is a children’s entertainment company that specializes in the design and production of toys and consumer products. Hasbro is a play and entertainment company.

Is Lego protected?

LEGO now has only design rights and copyright protection in its arsenal, and only very limited trademark rights.

Are minifigures patented?

These proto-figures also had no faces. In 1978, the LEGO Minifigure was released – androgenous, yellow, and moving. The patent we’re looking at is the original US-filed USPTO-bound document for the LEGO Minifigure. This document shows the basic ins and outs of the Minifigure as it existed in its most basic form.