Take five with your tea
and get to know your IP!
Welcome! I’m Gemma from The Little IP Company, and if you’re reading this, you’ve probably just opened your little gift from me —
a Yorkshire Tea and a KitKat 🍫☕.
You might not realise it, but both of these brands have built their success on strong Intellectual Property (IP). From the distinctive name “KitKat” to the familiar packaging of “Yorkshire Tea,” these features are protected assets, giving their owners control, reputation, and value that lasts for decades.
You probably already know what to expect from both these brands, what they look like and taste like, even before looking at the wrapper or opening the product. How do you know that? Because they have strong IP.
Nestlé, for example, owns a whole suite of trade marks for KitKat. Not only do they have multiple registrations for the logo and the word “KITKAT,” they also have registrations for the shape of the KitKat Chunky bar and its packaging. In fact, they own over 60 UK trade marks just for this brand!
Similarly, Taylors of Harrogate own multiple trade marks for Yorkshire Tea covering their logo, plain word marks, and packaging in the UK.
So why have I sent you these? And why am I telling you this? Because you have IP too and, honestly, who doesn’t like a cuppa, a KitKat, and a free pen? 😉
Whether you’re a new start-up, a growing brand, or a local business that’s been around for years, your name, logo, website, products, and even your social media content are all part of your intellectual property toolkit. Your business name and product names are part of your brand, what makes you stand out from competitors and they need protecting.
Let’s take a few minutes to do a simple IP Stock Take — it’s an easy way to see what you already have and where you might need protection.
Step 1: Identify your IP
Think about what makes your business unique. Do you have:
A name or logo that customers recognise? (→ trade marks)
A distinctive product look, design, or packaging?
(→ registered/unregistered designs)
Any original written, visual, or digital content like photos, videos, or copy? (→ copyright)
Inventions, processes, or software you’ve created? (→ patents or know-how)
Business reputation or goodwill tied to your brand? (→ passing off protection)
📝 Make a quick list — you might be surprised how much you already own!
Step 2: Check What’s Protected
Now ask yourself:
Have you registered your trade mark (name/logo) in the UK or beyond? or any of your original designs? As a starter, check the UK Intellectual Property Office Trade Mark and Design search facilities.
Do your contracts make clear who owns your IP (especially if you use freelancers or designers)?
Have you recorded key dates like any renewals (domains, trade marks, designs) or any important IP deadlines?
If you’re not sure — that’s totally normal! Most businesses aren’t. But knowing where you stand is the first step toward safeguarding your brand.
Step 3: Take Action
Small steps can make a big difference:
Register your trade mark to secure your brand identity.
Review your designs and content for copyright or design protection. You can register new designs within 12 months from first marketing.
Update your contracts to clarify IP ownership.
Keep an IP register or spreadsheet — a simple record of what you have and when it’s protected until.
And if you’d like a friendly, plain-English chat about where to start, that’s exactly what I’m here for.
Let’s Chat Over a Cuppa
I specialise in helping small businesses like yours protect what makes them unique — without the jargon or the big-firm fuss.
Book a free 30-minute consultation* to chat about your IP stock take and what it means for your brand. We can either meet in person at my office or over MS Teams.
*the link below will automatically generate a MS Team call but email me if you could rather come in to meet me: gemma@littleipco.com
I hope you have enjoyed the KitKat!
Speak soon,
Gemma