Wednesday, May 1, 2024

Design Patent: Definition, How It Works, Examples

design patent example

In addition to these standard uses for design patents, patent attorneys are expanding the use of design patents by applying for protection on software displays. Design patents have already been granted on icons which appear on computer displays, and the uses of design patents will continue to expand. Apple Inc. has made extensive use of design patents to protect its innovative industrial designs. For example, numerous design patents protect the look of its iPhone as well as the user interface found in Apple's iOS operating system.

Step 6 – Descriptions of Figures

All views on the same sheet should stand in the same direction and, if possible, stand so that they can be read with the sheet held in an upright position. A moved position may be shown by a broken line superimposed upon a suitable view if this can be done without crowding; otherwise, a separate view must be used for this purpose. This information includes the correspondence address, which may be indicated by reference to a customer number, to which correspondence is to be directed (see § 1.33(a)).

01 Specification [R-07.2022]

Design patents last for 15 years if filed on or after May 13, 2015, or 14 years if filed before May 13, 2015, with the date starting from when you receive the design patent. However, there are many other cases where what is patented is under disagreement. If what is protected is at disagreement, the patent holder is solely responsible for bringing a patent lawsuit to court to argue their case and be afforded protections. The USPTO has very specific guidelines for your drawings or photographs that you need to make sure to closely follow. If you want to use color sketches (or images), you need to file a petition explaining why the use of color is necessary. When researching your design patent, you should fan out to other types of publications — academic, journalistic, marketing, sales, trade magazine, even science fiction.

design patent example

¶ 15.50.01 Use of Broken Lines in Drawing (Ch. 16 Design

Remember, the process might seem intricate at first, but with the right preparation and perhaps a bit of expert help, you can navigate it successfully. Let’s explore a real-life example that perfectly illustrates the power of a design patent. The Coca-Cola Company holds a design patent for the unique shape of their bottle, one of the most recognized designs worldwide. This isn’t about the formula of the drink; it’s purely about the bottle’s distinctive curves and lines that scream “Coca-Cola” without you even needing to see the label. Just like the provisional patent application (for utility), a design patent must begin with fully understanding what the invention is. The Global Design database enables simultaneous searches via a single, intuitive interface across all international industrial designs registered under the Hague System as well as in participating national collections.

Computer Technologies and Design Patents

design patent example

File your design patent right now using our simple free guides with design patent examples and step-by-step tutorials for filing and searching for design patents. Design patents can be invalidated if the design is dictated solely by function (e.g. the outline of a key blade blank). Design patents are valid for 14 years from the date of issue if filed prior to May 13, 2015, or 15 years from the date of issue if filed on or after May 13, 2015.[13][14] There are no maintenance fees. A patent reissue takes place when you make changes to your original design patent application.

Invention disclosures to USPTO licensed patent practitioners are covered by client controlled privilege. You can sue another company for damages if that company steals your design. You can also send a demand letter that asks the company to pay you a license fee. If you intend to sell your idea or invention and compete in other countries, you will need to patent your design in those jurisdictions as well. An example or reference always helps in making a more confident step in the future.

What Is a Utility Patent?

A provisional helps establish an early effective filing date in a patent application and permits the term “Patent Pending” to be applied in connection with the invention. The filing and issue fees on plant applications can be found in the fee schedule. For a qualifying small entity, most fees are cut by half (35 U.S.C. 41[h][1]). For a qualifying micro entity (37 CFR 1.29), most fees are reduced by 80%.

The Role of Design Patents in UX Innovation

Using OpenAI's CLIP to Search for Design Patents - Towards Data Science

Using OpenAI's CLIP to Search for Design Patents.

Posted: Mon, 01 Mar 2021 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Other symbols, which are not universally recognized, may be used, subject to approval by the Office, if they are not likely to be confused with existing conventional symbols, and if they are readily identifiable. The scale to which a drawing is made must be large enough to show the mechanism without crowding when the drawing is reduced in size to two-thirds in reproduction. Indications such as "actual size" or "scale 1/2" on the drawings are not permitted since these lose their meaning with reproduction in a different format. (ii) A very long view may be divided into several parts placed one above the other on a single sheet.

We combined the drawings with the application (shown below) and the completed versions of the required PTO forms, and assembled these documents with the fee. If the examiner persists in rejecting any claims in an application, or if the rejection has been made final, the applicant may appeal to the PTAB in the USPTO. The PTAB consists of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, the Deputy for the aforementioned Under Secretary and Director, the Commissioner for Patents, and the administrative patent judges. You must request reconsideration in writing, pointing out the supposed errors in the office action, and replying to every objection and rejection. The reply must be a good faith effort to advance the case to final action or allowance.

The first thing you should do when considering applying for a design patent is to conduct a patent search. In order to secure a design patent, your design must be non-obvious and novel. Therefore, you must conduct a patent search in order to determine if your design is in fact new or novel and that no other designs or art exist that might invalidate your claim. To apply for a design patent, you will need to file an application in the jurisdiction where you want to file for patent protection.

Such plants covered by the term "tuber propagated" are the Irish potato and the Jerusalem artichoke. This exception is made because this group alone, among asexually reproduced plants, is propagated by the same part of the plant that is sold as food. Preparing a patent application and conducting the proceedings requires knowledge of patent law, USPTO rules and procedures, and scientific or technical knowledge related to the particular invention. While you may prosecute the application without these skills, you might not get all the protection you can without an experienced attorney/agent’s help.

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