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Obviousness Test for Design Patents Unchanged

The IP Law Blog

Design patents and utility patents are two different things. Design patents 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.,

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In re SurgiSil : Much More than a Cosmetic Change to Design Patent Law

LexBlog IP

A recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has fundamentally altered the law on prior art anticipation for design patent applications. 171(a), design patent protection is permitted to “[w]hoever invents any new, original and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.” (Emphasis added).

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Guest Post by Prof. Hrdy & Dan Brean: The Patent Law Origins of Science Fiction

Patently-O

Hrdy, Professor of Intellectual Property Law at University of Akron School of Law, and Daniel H. Are inventions described in works of science fiction patentable? It may surprise you, then, to learn that the genre of science fiction is deeply indebted to patent law and patent theory. See [link].

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What do dashed lines in a design patent mean?

Patent Trademark Blog

What is the meaning of broken or dashed lines in a design patent? While I’m not sure if you can call it a loophole, US design patents enable a particular option in the drawings that can potentially broaden protection. In a US design patent, the claimed design comprises what is drawn in solid lines.

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What is a Design Patent?

The IP Law Blog

A design patent 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. Design patents protect only the appearance of the article, not any aspect of functionality.

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Can you file a design patent continuation application?

Patent Trademark Blog

What is a design patent 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 design patent applications. Be careful though.

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The US Constitution as an Interpretive Tool for Obviousness Law

Patently-O

by Dennis Crouch LKQ’s brief for today’s en banc rehearing begins with the following interesting statement: “As with utility patents, the U.S. Constitution and the Patent Act prohibit design patents on ordinary innovations.” Although case applied pre-1952 law, the reminder here is poignant.

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