The Interlocking Brick — Patent Proof Chain

Patent Timeline · Verified Sources

1923

ORIGIN · BELGIAN PATENT

Louis Cousin — System „Batima"

Belgian engineer Louis Cousin files patent for the Batima construction toy system in Brussels. The system uses upper studs and lower sockets to create interlocking form-fitting connections — the earliest documented stud-and-socket brick layout in history. Blocks manufactured from Galalith (milk-based casein plastic).

BE 311029 (Jun 1923) FR 588985A (1924) Wikipedia DE: Batima ↗

1939

ITERATION · BRITISH PATENT

Hilary Fisher Page — Kiddicraft

British toy maker Hilary "Harry" Fisher Page patents "Interlocking Building Cubes" in the UK. The 2×4 stud geometry builds upon the same mechanical concept established by the Batima system 16 years earlier. Patents cover UK and France only — leaving Denmark unprotected.

GB 529580 (1939) GB 587,206 (1947)

↑ 16 YEARS AFTER BATIMA · SAME PRINCIPLE

1949

REPLICATION · DANISH PRODUCT

LEGO — "Automatic Binding Bricks"

In 1947, LEGO founders are shown Kiddicraft samples after purchasing their first injection moulding machine. Because Page's patents do not cover Denmark, LEGO begins manufacturing near-identical bricks in 1949. The product is later renamed the LEGO brick (1958).

↑ BASED ON KIDDICRAFT GEOMETRY · CONFIRMED 1988

1981

LEGAL TRANSACTION

LEGO buys residual rights from Hestair-Kiddicraft

Amid legal proceedings against competitor Tyco, LEGO purchases the residual design rights and technical drawing copyrights from Hestair-Kiddicraft for £45,000. LEGO does not acquire the Kiddicraft brand name, which remains with Hestair.

Source: Modellbau-Wiki ↗

1988

LEGAL CONFIRMATION · PRIVY COUNCIL RULING

Interlego AG v Tyco Industries Inc — Privy Council

The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council rules in Interlego AG v Tyco Industries Inc [1988] UKPC 3 / [1989] AC 217 (5 May 1988) that LEGO's early brick design was a direct structural replica of Kiddicraft. The case originated in Hong Kong. This is the judicial confirmation of the Batima → Kiddicraft → LEGO proof chain.

BAILII: [1988] UKPC 3 ↗ Wikipedia ↗

1989

TRADEMARK TRANSFER

Kiddicraft brand → Fisher-Price (Mattel)

Hestair sells the Kiddicraft brand and trademark to Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel. Fisher-Price uses the name for infant toys globally until 2003. LEGO holds only the design rights — never the brand.

DPMA Reg. 637615 ↗

2022

REVIVAL

Kiddicraft reregistered · New bricks since 2024

After the trademark lapses, German toy distributor Thorsten Klahold registers the Kiddicraft brand (2022) and begins manufacturing new interlocking brick sets in 2024 under the original name.

Source: Modellbau-Wiki ↗

Wikipedia Coverage Status · Live Tracking

Louis Cousin (Inventor/Erfinder) Batima creator, Brussels, early 20th c.

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Kiddicraft Hilary Fisher Page, UK, 1939

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Hilary Page (Toy designer) Kiddicraft founder, UK, 1904–1957

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Louis Cousin (Historian/Historiker) Président Cour des Monnaies, 1627–1707

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Batima (Construction System) The brick system itself

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