Toys-Games · Iconic Everyday Products
Is the LEGO Brick Patented?
The original LEGO stud-and-tube clutch patent (US 3,005,282) expired in 1978 in Europe and 1989 in the U.S. — which is why competitors like Mega Bloks can legally make compatible bricks. The LEGO® brand trademark remains in force.
Quick answer
Originally yes — expired in 1989
The original LEGO stud-and-tube clutch patent (US 3,005,282) expired in 1978 in Europe and 1989 in the U.S. — which is why competitors like Mega Bloks can legally make compatible bricks. The LEGO® brand trademark remains in force.
Key patents on the LEGO Brick
Every patent number below is a live USPTO record — click through to read the original claims on Google Patents.
- US 3,005,282 (1961) — Toy building brick (the stud-and-tube clutch system). Status: expired / public domain.
What to know
- LEGO has lost multiple trademark-style cases trying to protect the brick shape after the patent expired — courts have ruled the shape is functional.
- The LEGO Group protects current IP via design patents on specific minifigures and themed sets.
Frequently asked
Why are Mega Bloks and competitor bricks legal?
Because the foundational LEGO patent expired. After a utility patent expires, the underlying invention enters the public domain. LEGO's attempts to extend protection via trademark on the brick shape have largely failed in court.
Have your own invention idea?
If a product like LEGO Brickcan get patent protection, your idea probably can too — assuming it’s novel. The cheapest first step is a provisional patent application, which locks in your priority date for 12 months while you validate the market. LegalZoom files provisionals from $199 + USPTO fees; you can also read the official USPTO patent basics first if you prefer.
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