One such law was forbidding the exporting of inventions and machines to outside sources - such as other countries. This, however, didn't work as there were cases of people smuggling them out in rowboats. Whilst other outsiders would memorize or take note of how a machine is made, then return home with such information to use for themselves.
Another law, also denied engineers, mechanics, and toolmakers the ability to leave the country to avoid the spread of information. Britain was desperate to keep their head start in the Industrial Revolution, although, their attempts were obviously ineffective.
