Issue #121 - The Intellectual Property Issue ©️
Are you keeping an eye on your IP? 👀 | What is intellectual property? 🧠 | What is an NDA? 📝 | #BionicBusinessStory - Cheering on Christmas with The Social Club ❄️ | Words | Tunes | More
🦾 GO
Are you keeping an eye on your IP? 👀
We’ve all got those shops in our village and town centres whose names and logos look a little too similar to some of the biggest brands around - a convenience store called Singhsbury’s* and a pizza place called Papa Gino’s are two that are local to us here at The Backbone.
On the face of it, these are harmless bits of wordplay by businesses that’ll never make a dent in the profits of their (nearly) namesakes. But in reality, they could be opening up a huge can of legal worms (we love a mixed metaphor, here).
Take the case of fashion house, Hugo Boss, versus Merseyside artist (his location provides an important bit of context), John Charles…
John ran popualr online art lessons during lockdown and would sign off at the end of each class with the phrase “Be boss, be kind” (a common scouse saying), which proved so popular that it led to a demand for merchandise with the motto.
After lodging a request to trademark the phrase for his merch, the German fashion giant got litigious and sent a letter to block his application unless he withdrew it and stopped selling items with the word ‘Boss’.
IP infringements can work the other way around too, as Temu found out when several small card designing businesses recognised their designs being sold on the retail giant’s website…
Hundreds of card designs from independent designers were copied and sold as cheap imitations by online retailer, Temu. This led to significant financial and emotional strain.
Temu has now agreed to trial a new takedown process to help UK greeting card designers remove copyright-infringing products more quickly. The new system uses AI to block repeat infringements and automatically removes listings, offering hope to an industry threatened by online rip-offs and protecting the £1.5 billion UK greeting card market.
Designers and the Greeting Card Association welcome the move as an important first step, warning that persistent copying undermines businesses and consumer trust. Find out more at the BBC website.
What is intellectual property (IP)?
Intellectual property (IP) is otherwise known as something created “by the mind” that should be protected. An idea, brand name, or patent, for example. This can include anything from business assets, such as brand logos, to a new technique used in your manufacturing process.
Think of IP as a way to protect your ideas and hard work.
How to protect IP
There are four main types of IP protection in the UK…
Copyright - Automatically protects original works of literature, art, music, and certain other intellectual works.
Trademarks - Protect brand names, logos, and symbols that distinguish goods or services. Must be registered with the UK Intellectual Property Office.
Patents - Protect new inventions or technical solutions. Must be applied for and granted.
Design rights - Protect the shape and appearance of products. Can be automatic or registered for additional protection.
It’s also worth considering the following…
Keep thorough records, like document creation dates, drafts, and design processes.
Use non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) when discussing ideas with others.
Add clear IP statements or watermarks to digital content.
Monitor the market for potential infringement and enforce your rights if needed.
Seek professional legal advice for complex or valuable assets.
IP insurance may protect your business from costly legal battles over intellectual property. It covers the costs of defending and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, including legal fees, court expenses, and settlements, providing vital support for SMEs facing infringement disputes. Find out more at the government website.
Properly securing IP ensures you can license, sell, or defend your creations and prevents others from copying or profiting without your permission.
*It seems there was also a Singhsbury’s in North Tyneside, but they were forced into a name change to avoid legal action from the supermarket giant. So the shop is now called Morrisinghs. No, really! Singhsbury’s renamed Morrisinghs after Sainsbury’s ‘legal row’
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🗞 READ
What is intellectual property, and what does it mean for UK small businesses? 🧠
Whether you’re a small business just starting out or a business owner who’s no stranger to trade, you’ve probably heard about the need to protect your physical assets – like equipment, machinery and stock. But what about the non-physical creations that are your intellectual property?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about IP, including its different types and what happens when you — or another business – infringes on these rights.
What is an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)? 📝
When you hire staff, take on a new supplier or end terms with an existing partner, a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) can help protect one of your business’s most valuable assets – confidential information.
But new UK legislation is coming into force in 2025 following recent debates about NDA misuse, so you may not know exactly when, why and how they should be used. This guide explains all you need to know.
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🗣 SHOUTOUT
#BionicBusinessStory - Cheering on Christmas with The Social Club ❄️
Bionic spoke to Jo Tiller, creator of The Social Club. She told us how she started her SME up from scratch and used her marketing expertise to build the brand.
Bionic: Jo, can you tell us a bit about your background and the inspiration behind The Social Club?
Jo: I’ve worked in marketing for over 24 years—including big roles at Harrods—but after my second child, I wanted something more flexible. During lockdown, and after a period of illness, I decided to build something of my own—safer, more secure, and personal.
Bionic: How did the idea and name for The Social Club come about?
Jo: It actually started through chats with my husband’s friend Simon. We wanted to spread good vibes, celebrate being social after lockdown, and do it with cool, bright, happy fashion.
Bionic: What makes your brand stand out?
Jo: We focus on high-quality, well-priced, recycled and organic materials. Fast delivery and a wow-factor service are really important to me. I treat customers how I’d want to be treated.
Bionic: How crucial has social media been for your growth?
Jo: Vital! Instagram influencers have driven hundreds of sales. But I always handpick influencers whose values match mine—it’s about quality connections, not just numbers.
Bionic: Your brand feels very personal. How do you manage it all?
Jo: It takes up most of my free time—posting content, fulfilling orders, hand writing notes. But I love it. The brand’s infectious, and hearing positive feedback makes it worthwhile.
Bionic: Any memorable moments or bestsellers?
Jo: Definitely our black and gold sweatshirts—they’ve sold out several times. We’ve expanded into garden cushions and collaborated on bath bombs for Christmas.
Bionic: What’s been the biggest challenge?
Jo: Stock! Brexit, Covid, and ongoing European issues have caused delays. As a small operation, I’m often last in line.
Bionic: What achievement makes you proudest?
Jo: Growing the customer base organically—over 3,500 word-of-mouth followers. And whenever customers come back, it’s a huge achievement.
Bionic: What advice would you give someone starting out?
Jo: Just go for it! Have a plan, but don’t overthink—be passionate, adaptable, and let your ideas guide you. Life’s too short not to try.
Check out Jo’s work at The Social Club or on Instagram.
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🎧 LISTEN
Playlist 🎶
Hey, we agree that it’s way too early for Christmas stuff and that decorations should be put up no earlier than December 1st, etc…BUT…we only have two more issues (plus next week’s Budget Special) before the big day. So that means three more playlists until Christmas. Here’s your first - A Very Denbigh Christmas - courtesy of Mat, good friend of The Backbone and Norm to The Denbigh Castle’s (hands down the best pub in Liverpool) “Cheers”
Podcast 🎙
Have we mentioned it’s LESS THAN FIVE WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS? (we have now), which probably means at least a little overeating for most of us. Here’s a podcast to help you stay sensible or get your health back on track. Zoe Science + Nutrition gets the world’s top scientists to explain the latest health, nutrition, and gut health research and translate it into practical advice to improve your health & weight.
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