Expired Patents on Subbuteo’s Mechanism
Subbuteo’s original patents have long expired. The classic flick-to-kick mechanism (a weighted figurine on a hemispherical base) was patented in the 1970s by Subbuteo’s creators, but those rights are now expired. For example:
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UK Patent GB1,493,142 (filed 1974, “Figures for games”) – Covered the mounting of a player figure on a disc and base. Status: Expiredpatents.google.com.
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US Patent 3,945,640 (issued 1976, Subbuteo Sports Games Ltd.) – Covered a glued disc-and-cup figure base (early Subbuteo design). Status: Expired March 1993patents.google.com.
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US Patent 4,211,408 (issued 1980, “Figure unit for sports games”) – Covered an improved self-righting base with an internal spigot/socket connector and ballast (an advanced Subbuteo figure design). Status: Expired August 1997patents.google.com.
Subbuteo Sports Games Ltd continued to file improvements into the early 1980s (e.g. a 1980 UK patent application on a game figure) but these were never granted or have lapsed. Notably, patent GB2064341A (filed 1980 for a cricket/football game figure) was withdrawn and did not result in an enforceable patentpatents.google.com. In short, no active Subbuteo-originating utility patents remain in force today – all the known patents on the flicking figure mechanism have expired, placing those mechanical concepts in the public domainpatents.google.compatents.google.com.
Current Patent Landscape for Tabletop Soccer Games
Because Subbuteo’s patents expired, the core idea of flicking a player on a rounded base is now essentially generic. Multiple companies have produced similar tabletop soccer games (e.g. Zeugo, Total Soccer, and others) without legal challenge – a strong indication that no one holds an exclusive patent on the basic mechanics. A search of patent literature shows no new patents blocking the classic flick-to-kick method. Any recent patents in this space tend to introduce new twists or specific features beyond the classic Subbuteo format. For instance, a 2015 U.S. patent (US 8,925,922 B2) by an independent inventor references Subbuteo as well-known prior artgoogle.com and adds novel elements like cue sticks and ball supports. Its claims are limited to those new features, underscoring that the fundamental gameplay of Subbuteo could not be re-patented (it was already well known). As long as FlicKick sticks to the established Subbuteo-like mechanics (flicking figures with a finger to strike a ball) and doesn’t copy any new patented gimmick from another game, there should be no patent infringement issues. In summary, the mechanical elements of flicking miniature players on curved bases are now generic – after 40+ years of public use and expired patents, anyone is free to implement that concept in a new product.
Design Rights and Figurine Design Considerations
Design patents or design registrations on Subbuteo figures are no longer a concern. Any registered designs from Subbuteo’s heyday (mid-20th century) have expired decades ago (UK registered designs last a maximum of 25 years). We found no evidence of any active design registrations protecting the shape of Subbuteo players or bases today. The current owners have not publicly asserted any design rights on the modern reissued sets, and the existence of third-party “Subbuteo-compatible” figure sets suggests no exclusive design rights are being enforced. That said, it’s wise to create original sculpts and artwork for your FlicKick figures. While basic footballer forms are generic, the specific sculpture of a classic Subbuteo player (pose, uniform details, etc.) could be protected by copyright as an artistic work. (For example, directly casting or 3D-scanning an official Subbuteo figure would risk copyright or unregistered design-right infringement.) By designing your own player figurines and logos from scratch, you ensure you’re not copying any proprietary artwork. In practice, many Subbuteo-style games use unique figure designs to avoid any question of copying. As long as FlicKick’s player pieces have a distinct look and feel (while serving the same function), you should be clear of any design-patent or copyright issues related to Subbuteo’s figure aesthetics. The flicking base shape itself (a round disk or dome with a weight) is functional and was covered by now-expired patents – it’s considered standard and can be reused freelypatents.google.com.
Trademarks and Branding Issues
The Subbuteo name and branding are actively protected by trademark law (owned by Hasbro, which acquired Subbuteo’s former owner Waddingtons in the 1990ssubbuteo.com). You’ve indicated you will use completely unique branding – this is important, because using the Subbuteo name or logos would clearly infringe Hasbro’s trademarks. Key points on trademarks to keep in mind:
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“Subbuteo” Word Mark: Hasbro maintains this trademark in many jurisdictions. In the UK and EU it is registered in classes covering games/toys (among others) and remains in forcetrademarkelite.comtrademarkelite.com. In fact, Hasbro recently renewed/extended the UK trademark registration through at least 2029subbuteo.online. (The brand has been licensed out for continued use, meaning Hasbro keeps the mark alive even while others produce the game.) In the US, an older Subbuteo trademark registration lapsed (it was marked expired in 2009trademarks.justia.com), but Hasbro filed a new U.S. application in 2021 to re-secure the nametrademark.justia.comtrademark.justia.com. Bottom line: the Subbuteo name is off-limits. FlicKick Table Soccer as a distinct name avoids this issue entirely.
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Logos and Trade Dress: Any logos or stylized graphics associated with Subbuteo are also protected. For example, Hasbro’s legal notices explicitly state “SUBBUTEO and all related trademarks and logos are trademarks of Hasbro”scientificgames.com. You should steer clear of using the Subbuteo logo, the characteristic green color scheme/packaging, or slogans like “Just Flick to Kick!” that were used in Subbuteo’s marketingscmp.com. While trade dress (overall product look and packaging) is a softer area of trademark law, copying the distinctive look of Subbuteo’s packaging could cause consumer confusion and lead to a passing-off or trademark dilution claim. It’s best that FlicKick establishes its own visual identity – unique logo, package design, and color scheme – to avoid any suggestion that your product is affiliated with or a clone of Subbuteo. Given your plan not to reference Subbuteo at all, this should be straightforward.
Notably, we found no trademarks on the functional aspects of the game (for example, the shape of the base or figure has not been trademarked by Hasbro – likely because such a functional shape wouldn’t qualify as a trademark, and Subbuteo’s player figure, being a generic footballer depiction, isn’t a unique logo or character). The only active trademarks you need to avoid are those related to the name and branding of Subbuteo. Using a name like “FlicKick” that is entirely your own creation ensures you’re not in conflict with the Subbuteo mark.
The Flicking Mechanism – Now a Generic Play Method
Fundamentally, the idea of flicking miniature soccer players to play football is a generic concept today. It has been in the public realm for over 75 years – from the first Subbuteo set in 1947, through numerous clones and evolutions. Game rules or mechanics themselves are generally not patentable (especially once well-known), and in any case Subbuteo’s gameplay rules were never patented – only the equipment was. There is no copyright on rules or the idea of “table football” (copyright covers only the specific written rulebook or specific artwork, not the abstract game play). This means you are free to replicate the play mechanics and rules of Subbuteo in your own game. In legal terms, nothing stops you from using the flick-to-kick method of moving pieces – provided you do so with your own uniquely branded equipment.
Indeed, the enduring popularity of Subbuteo has led to a whole community of compatible games and accessories. The mechanical elements like flickable figures on weighted bases are treated as standard in the hobby. Any patents that once covered those elements are expiredpatents.google.com, and no one company can claim a monopoly on the general concept of a tabletop flick football game. As confirmation of its generic status, even a new patent filing in this field had to acknowledge that “games such as Subbuteo™ have been popular for many years” and that there is an existing market for such gamesgoogle.com – reinforcing that the basic concept is not new.
Conclusion
In summary, developing FlicKick Table Soccer by drawing inspiration from Subbuteo’s design and mechanics is legally feasible as long as you avoid the protected trademarks and any direct copy of artistic elements. All relevant Subbuteo patents (figures, bases, flick mechanisms) have expired, so the functional and mechanical features are free for anyone to usepatents.google.compatents.google.com. No active design rights appear to encumber the classic player or base design, especially if you create your own molds. The only area requiring caution is branding: the Subbuteo name, logos, and any identifiable trade dress are actively protected by Hasbro’s trademarksscientificgames.comsubbuteo.online. By marketing your product under a unique name (FlicKick) with original logos/packaging, and by using original figure sculpts, you will avoid infringing those IP rights. The core gameplay of flicking soccer figurines on a tabletop is now a part of the public domain – effectively a generic play method – so you can confidently build your new game around that idea. Just ensure your execution (name and look) is distinct from Subbuteo’s branding, and you should face no legal barriers in bringing FlicKick Table Soccer to life.
Sources:
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Subbuteo expired patents and filings (1970s–1980s)patents.google.compatents.google.compatents.google.compatents.google.com
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Discussion of a recent tabletop soccer patent referencing Subbuteogoogle.com
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Trademark records and reports (Hasbro’s Subbuteo mark status)trademarkelite.comsubbuteo.onlinescientificgames.com
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Hasbro/Subbuteo brand history and licensing infosubbuteo.com (confirmation of trademark ownership and licensing)
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Subbuteo slogan and branding notesscmp.com (illustrating well-known Subbuteo motto “Flick to Kick”).
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