As distinct from a utility patent. A design patent protects only the ornamental design or appearance of an article of manufacture, but not its structural or functional features. An ‘article of manufacture’ is a broad term which may extend even to computer icons. Like utility patents, design patents must be nonobvious but this standard is harder to apply to designs.
More Posts
Congress Wants to Revive Patents but May Strangle Innovation and Damage Health Care Access Instead
This post, written by Wayne Brough, initially appeared in the R Street’s Real Solutions Blog.
Patent eligibility, or the fundamental question of what is patentable, is currently under congression...
CCIA Senior Counsel Joshua Landau Testifies To Congress
In case you missed it, I testified to the House Judiciary Committee's IP Subcommittee last week about whether the output of AIs should receive patent and/or copyright protection. The hearing is avail...
Tackling Patent Trolls In Foxboro
A new lawsuit in Massachusetts proves that even NFL teams are not safe from baseless accusations from patent trolls. While the New England Patriots are usually concerned with defending their home turf...