A design patent protects the ornamental appearance and overall design of a product. As per 35 U.S.C. § 171, design patents protect, “any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.” Having a design patent gives its an owner the ability to use,...
A patent is one of the best ways to protect against intellectual property theft. While most people are familiar with the concept of a patent, many are not aware that U.S. law has 3 different types of patents: utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. The two...
Patent maintenance fees are compulsory fees that you must pay to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at certain junctures after a utility patent has been issued to keep it active. Maintenance fees are not required for design patents, however, so...
Getting a design patent is an exciting step in any creator’s journey towards product innovation. One of the common questions people ask is about the cost of a design patent. How much a design patent costs depends on what it covers, or in other words, its complexity....
Conducting a design patent search entails sifting through existing patents to ensure that your design has not already been patented. Design patents are available for designs that are original, ornamental, and new. These patents last for 15 years from the date that...
