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Design Patent Protection for Computer Generated Icons and Graphical User Interfaces

Intellectual Property Law Blog

Recent patent cases have made it more difficult to obtain utility patent protection for some of the functional aspects of computer software. Strategic use of design patents can be an important part of an overall patent strategy. Strategic use of design patents can be an important part of an overall patent strategy.

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BREAKING: Full Fed. Circ. Throws Out 'Rigid' Tests For Design Patents

IP Law 360

The full Federal Circuit on Tuesday overruled long-standing tests for proving that design patents are invalid as obvious, finding that the rules are "improperly rigid" and holding that the obviousness test for utility patents should be used instead.

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USPTO Publishes Final Rule Establishing Separate Design Patent Bar

IP Watchdog

Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced that a final rule will be published tomorrow, November 16, in the Federal Register implementing a design patent practitioner bar. A request for comments (RFC) was also published in October 22.

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What are the requirements for getting a design patent?

Patent Trademark Blog

Are there any requirements for getting a design patent? Design patents can be quite powerful. They are part of a complete IP package you should consider to build a moat around your product. 35 USC 171 sets forth the requirements for getting a design patent. What is an original design?

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China’s Rise in U.S. Design Patent System

Patently-O

WIPO administers the WIPO-administered Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs. In 2015, the US linked its design patent system with Hague — this gives U.S. designers easier access to global design rights; and non-U.S. design patent system.

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House IP Subcommittee Mulls Copyright and Design Patent Revisions Amid Right-to-Repair Debate

IP Watchdog

The concerns voiced by witnesses and congress members today centered around harm and cost to consumers as a result of technological protection measures (TPMs) and increased use of IP tools such as design patents to thwart competition for after-market parts.

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Design Patents May Be Harder To Get Under New Test

IP Law 360

The Federal Circuit's decision discarding long-standing tests for proving that a design patent is invalid as obvious means the world has changed for patent examiners and applicants, attorneys said, and the new standard could lead to more design patent applications being turned down.