This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
This is an important designpatent decision that substantially narrows the scope of prior art available for anticipation rejections in designpatent cases. The result is that it should become easier to obtain designpatent protection. In re Surgisil, LLP , — 4th — ( Fed. 2d 447, (CCPA 1956).
DesignPatent #D1,050,634 from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Design Application #29888619, titled “Rope Throw Dog Toy” on September 18, 2024, and the patent was issued on November 5, 2024. And on Friday, November 15, I received my official patent in the mail.
by Dennis Crouch In a highly anticipated en banc decision, the Federal Circuit has overruled the longstanding Rosen-Durling test for assessing obviousness of designpatents. Rejecting the argument that KSR did not implicate designpatent obviousness, the court reasoned that 35 U.S.C. § GM Global Tech. Operations LLC , No.
GM decision, the USPTO issued a memorandum to its examiners providing updated guidance and examination instructions in light of the court’s overturning of the long-standing Rosen-Durling test for determining obviousness of designpatents. The court and PTO left further development of this issue to future cases.
Designpatents and utility patents are two different things. Designpatents protect ornamental designs, such as the shape of a perfume bottle or the design on flatware. To be patentable, however, both designs and functional inventions must satisfy two requirements. Telflex, Inc.,
Companies associated with William Grecia have filed over a dozen cases alleging infringement of designpatents for “animated graphical user interfaces.” The patent asserted in that case, U.S. D930,702 , was issued in 2021 and claims a “design for a display screen portion with animated graphical user interface.”
Utility patents are for functional inventions. Designpatents protect the look of something functional, regardless of whether the functional aspects are new. Because of this, a popular use of designpatents is to protect the outside of common consumer products. What’s more common than the written word?
What makes a designpatent better? Designpatents are quite simple. You do a bit of research into the differences between a design and utility patent , and conclude that design is the way to go. By better, we mean a patent that provides broader rights. How do you make a designpatent broader?
What is the filing deadline for a US designpatent based on a foreign priority application? When it comes to filing related patent applications across different countries, filing dates are critical. A US designpatent application must be filed within six months of your foreign priority date.
Suppose that you have an invention disclosure for a design of an article that you want to protect. When you review the invention disclosure, you notice that the design is ornamental, for example, a pattern, on an article such as a chair. You want to file a patent application to protect the design.
Obviousness of a designpatent is governed by 35 U.S.C. 103, just like utility patents. That primary reference can then be combined with other references to fill in gaps that would have been obvious in order to create the “same overall visual appearance as the claimed design.” DesignPatent Nos.
Join us for a webinar, where we will cover key considerations for trade secrets, designpatents, and trademarks, including best practices, common pitfalls, and unique opportunities.
In a recent en banc decision, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has overruled its prior test for nonobviousness of designpatentinventions, holding that designpatents are subject to the same test as utility patents. LKQ Corporation v. GM Global Technology Operations (Federal Circuit, May 21, 224).
The almost-full Federal Circuit (minus two judges) has overturned the Rosen-Durling test for determining designpatent obviousness under 35 U.S.C. § Under 35 U.S.C. §
The Federal Circuit on Wednesday upheld a lower court's decision invalidating a retailer's designpatent on reusable and foldable shopping bags, agreeing that the disputed invention is obvious and functional.
by Dennis Crouch Designpatents continue to rise in importance, but the underlying law full of eccentricities. The crux of the issue lies in the manner patent law decisions are typically written. at 415, should cause us to eliminate or modify: (a) Durling’s requirement that “[b]efore one can begin to combine prior art designs.
2022) raises a number of important designpatent law questions, including an issue of first-impression of the scope of “comparison prior art” available for the ordinary observer infringement analysis under Egyptian Goddess, Inc. The case was remanded back to the USPTO 10 months ago, and not patent has issued yet.
Can you see a pending designpatent application? No, US designpatent applications are not published. Therefore, the public cannot monitor or search for a pending designpatent application. Need to apply for a designpatent? Why does it matter that designpatent applications are not published?
In late November 2021, Lululemon launched a lawsuit for designpatent infringement against Peloton in relation to perceived similarities in the design elements of various pieces of activewear, including sports bras and leggings.
Recently, an interesting order was issued in Patent Application No. 202417006578 ( pdf ), by Vikas Verma, Assistant Controller of Patents & Designs, Patent Office (Chennai), in the context of a pre-grant opposition (PGO) against an application by Pharmazz Inc. Image from here. back in 2010.
What is the meaning of broken or dashed lines in a designpatent? While I’m not sure if you can call it a loophole, US designpatents enable a particular option in the drawings that can potentially broaden protection. In a US designpatent, the claimed design comprises what is drawn in solid lines.
How to prepare for the first patent attorney meeting. While we never want to discourage anyone from asking questions, coming prepared to an initial meeting with a patent attorney will lead to a more helpful discussion. Let’s cover some basic questions that you should try to answer before your initial patent attorney meeting.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) recently reached an important milestone. On September 26, 2023, the USPTO issued its millionth designpatent. United States Patent D1,000,000 covers the ornamental design for a dispensing comb, as shown below. Designpatent filings in the U.S.
As Professor Crouch has noted , the Federal Circuit has granted rehearing en banc in the designpatent case of LKQ v. In support of LKQ’s petition for rehearing, some of my friends and colleagues submitted an amicus brief wherein they argued against what they called “designpatent doctrinal exceptionalism.” 21-2348 (Fed.
the Federal Circuit held that a catheter insertion designpatent was invalid because the claimed design was offered for sale more than a year before the designpatent application was filed. In Junker v. Medical Components, Inc.,
Focus on what matters most So much can be said, and has been said, about the patent application process. To avoid information overload, let’s get back to the most basic things you need to know to file a patent application. For those who say you can’t patent an idea, I’m using the term idea loosely.
Designpatents and utility patents are two different things. Designpatents protect ornamental designs, such as the shape of a perfume bottle or the design on flatware. By: Weintraub Tobin
Is it too late to apply for a designpatent after product sales? Should they apply for a designpatent first or sell the product and see how it goes? If you sell first, have you lost the ability to obtain a patent? How long after selling a product can you still file a designpatent?
Designpatents and utility patents are two different things. Designpatents protect ornamental designs, such as the shape of a perfume bottle or the design on flatware. To be patentable, however, both designs and functional inventions must satisfy two requirements. Telflex, Inc.,
A designpatent protects a new, original, ornamental design for an article of manufacture. Ornamental” means that the design is purely decorative; the patentability is based on its visual aspects. Designpatents protect only the appearance of the article, not any aspect of functionality.
Patent your idea or keep it secret? Keep it secret or file a patent ? There is a tradeoff when you file a patent. In order to gain certain exclusive rights from the government, inventors must disclose detailed information on how to make and use their invention. Don’t apply for a patent. Let’s face it.
by Dennis Crouch Seirus has petitioned for writ of certiorari in its long-running designpatent dispute with Columbia Sportswear. Columbia’s designpatent claims an “ornamental design of a heat reflective material” as shown in the figures. Patent D657,093. Swisa, Inc. , 3d 665 (Fed.
A designpatent protects a new, original, ornamental design for an article of manufacture. “Ornamental” means that the design is purely decorative; the patentability is based on its visual aspects. Designpatents protect only the appearance of the article, not any aspect of functionality.
Suppose that you have an invention disclosure for a design of an article that you want to protect. When you review the invention disclosure, you notice that the design is ornamental, for example, a pattern, on an article such as a chair. You want to file a patent application to protect the design.
As a member of World Trade Organization (WTO), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), Thailand allows applicants to file patents and trademarks in multiple PCT member countries simultaneously, making it easier and expanding.
Can you include a logo in your designpatent application? Let me share a strategy if you’re thinking about filing a designpatent application for a new product that might be considered somewhat similar to existing products. It is possible to include a logo in your designpatent application for a product.
Utility patents are for functional inventions. Designpatents protect the look of something functional, regardless of whether the functional aspects are new. Because of this, a popular use of designpatents is to protect the outside of common consumer products. What’s more common than the written word?
A lot of people have gotten patents for things related to Christmas. There are a number of patents intended to help parents convince children that Santa has been there. This patent covers a Christmas stocking that contains a light bulb or LED, a battery to power the light, and a hidden switch that turns on the light. 10,123,646.
What is the purpose of a provisional patent application? To know how to write a provisional patent application (PPA) well, you must first understand its purpose. Sure, you’ll have patent pending status. Want to file a provisional patent application with fixed fees? Design or utility patent protection?
Thus, a legal safeguard should be provided to inventors for their inventions to keep their interest in science alive. What are the biotechnological inventions? This leads them to think about protecting their inventions from unauthorized use. What is patent? Who can file a patent application?
Should you try to file a patent yourself? Should you file a utility patent application yourself? Would your utility patent application enjoy a higher success rate if it were filed by a patent attorney? Keep in mind we’re talking about utility patents as opposed to designpatents.
What makes an invention eligible for patent protection? Not every new thing is patentable. A concept might be unique, and yet ineligible for patent protection. Subject matter eligibility refers to whether an invention is qualified for patent protection. 35 USC 101 – Inventionspatentable.
1] LKQ, an auto parts repair vendor for GM, successfully petitioned for inter partes review of GM’s designpatent for a front fender design, [2] arguing it was anticipated by a prior art reference (Lain) and obvious over Lian alone or in combination with a brochure for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Operations LLC. [1]
What is a designpatent continuation application? US patent law allows an applicant to file a “child” patent application while the “parent” application is still pending. This rule applies to both utility and designpatent applications. Be careful though.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 9,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content