design patent presentation

‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

Max CiccarelliMax Ciccarelli

Taking Taking Design Design

Patents to Patents to the Next the Next

LevelLevel max@max@tklawtklaw.com.com

Examples of Design PatentsExamples of Design Patents

AutomotiveElectronics

Footwear

Firearms

FoodClothing

High Tech Manufacturing

Telecom

Semiconductor Devices

Bottles

Sporting Equipment

House wares

Software

’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

ElectronicsElectronics

AutomotiveAutomotive

FootwearFootwear

FirearmsFirearms

FoodFood

ClothingClothing

High Tech ManufacturingHigh Tech Manufacturing

TelecommTelecomm

Semiconductor DevicesSemiconductor Devices

Poison BottlesPoison Bottles

Sporting EquipmentSporting Equipment

House waresHouse wares

Computer DisplaysComputer Displays

OutlineOutline

nn BasicsBasicsnn Broadening ProtectionBroadening Protectionnn Shortening the ApplicationShortening the Applicationnn Miscellaneous TipsMiscellaneous Tipsnn Computer DisplaysComputer Displaysnn PhotographsPhotographs

Who can get a design patent?Who can get a design patent?

nn “Whoever invents any new, original and “Whoever invents any new, original and ornamental design for an article of ornamental design for an article of manufacture”manufacture”

35 U.S.C. 17135 U.S.C. 171

What does a design patent protect?What does a design patent protect?

n shape, n surface ornamentation, or n a combination of each,

which is embodied in or on an article of manufacture.

See 35 USC 171; see also Gorham Mfg. Co. v. White, 81 U.S. 511, 525 (1872); In re Blum, 153 USPQ 177, 180 (CCPA 1967).

Test for InfringementTest for Infringement

n Whether an ordinary observer, n giving such attention as a purchaser

usually gives, n finds the alleged design to be

substantially similar to the patented design.

The Design Patent ApplicationThe Design Patent Application

The SpecificationThe Specification

nn “No description, other “No description, other than a reference to the than a reference to the drawing, is ordinarily drawing, is ordinarily required.”required.”

37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)

The ClaimThe Claim

nn The ornamental design for a _________, as The ornamental design for a _________, as shown and described.shown and described.

37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)

Title, Claim, and SpecificationTitle, Claim, and Specification

The First Design PatentThe First Design PatentNovember 19, 1842November 19, 1842

Broadening ProtectionBroadening Protection

nn Broken linesBroken lines

nn Multiple applicationsMultiple applications

nn EmbodimentsEmbodiments

Use of Broken LinesUse of Broken Lines

nn The two most common uses of broken lines The two most common uses of broken lines are to are to –– disclose the disclose the environmentenvironment related to the claimed related to the claimed

design design –– and to define the and to define the boundsbounds of the claim.of the claim. . . . . . .

nn A broken line showing is for illustrative A broken line showing is for illustrative purposes only and purposes only and forms no part of the forms no part of the claimed designclaimed design or a specified embodiment or a specified embodiment thereof.thereof.

MPEP 1503.02MPEP 1503.02

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironment

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironmentA broken line showing is for A broken line showing is for illustrative purposes only and illustrative purposes only and forms no part of the claimed forms no part of the claimed designdesign or a specified or a specified embodiment thereof.embodiment thereof.

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironment

BoundsBoundsBounds

What not to doWhat not to do

Elmer v. ICC67 F.3d 1571(Fed. Cir. 1995)

Keystone v. Westrock997 F.2d 1444(Fed. Cir. 1993)

Better?Better?

Use of Multiple ApplicationsUse of Multiple Applications

Des. 356,757

Des. 363,561

Des. 356,772

Des. 291,144 Des. 299,583

Multiple EmbodimentsMultiple Embodiments

nn It is permissible to illustrate more than one It is permissible to illustrate more than one embodiment of a design invention in a single embodiment of a design invention in a single application. However, such embodiments may be application. However, such embodiments may be presented presented only if they involve a single inventive only if they involve a single inventive conceptconcept and are not and are not patentably patentably distinct from one distinct from one anotheranother. Embodiments that are . Embodiments that are patentably patentably distinct distinct over one another do not constitute a single over one another do not constitute a single inventive concept and thus may not be included in inventive concept and thus may not be included in the same design application.the same design application.

MPEP 1504.05MPEP 1504.05

EmbodimentsEmbodiments

Shortening the ApplicationShortening the Application

(and saving money on draftsman fees)(and saving money on draftsman fees)

“Mirror” Images“Mirror” Images

Showing half the designShowing half the design

Miscellaneous TipsMiscellaneous Tips

PositionsPositionsDetailsDetails

Software DisplaysSoftware Displays

Different positionsDifferent positions

DetailsDetails

n Old law (early 1990s): icons and typefaces not deemed to be articles of manufacture.

See e.g., Ex pane Strijland, 26 USPQ2d 1259, 1262 (BPAI 1992)(computer icon alone is merely surface ornamentation)

n New law (post 1996): the designs on these items can be claimed by stating that the design is displayed on an article of manufacture (e.g. computer icon on a computer display).

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

PTO: Icons without representation of computer screen O.K. (Two Xerox applications allowed)

PTO: Stopped issuing patents for computer generated icons

PTO: Guidelines for Examination of Design Patent Applications for Computer Generated Icons

n PTO Guidelines: – “Computer-generated icons are designs within

the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 171, but must be embodied in an article of manufacture to satisfy the statute.”

– “computer screen monitor, other display panel or a portion thereof” necessary to meet the article of manufacture requirement.

Use of PhotographsUse of Photographs

PhotographPhotograph

Photograph Photograph –– too much detail?too much detail?

Photograph Photograph –– too little detail?too little detail?

Drawing Drawing –– just right?just right?

Claimed elements

Illustration OptionsIllustration Options

nn DrawingsDrawings–– Black InkBlack Ink [37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(1)][37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(1)]

–– ColorColor [37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(2)][37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(2)]

nn PhotographsPhotographs–– Black and WhiteBlack and White [37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(1)][37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(1)]

–– ColorColor [37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(2)][37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(2)]

Requirements for PhotographsRequirements for Photographs

Photographs are acceptable only in Photographs are acceptable only in applications in which applications in which

the the invention is not capable of being invention is not capable of being illustratedillustrated in an ink drawing in an ink drawing oror

where the where the invention is shown more clearly invention is shown more clearly in a photographin a photograph (e.g., photographs of (e.g., photographs of ornamental effects are acceptable).ornamental effects are acceptable).

MPEP 1503.02MPEP 1503.02

Photograph vs. DrawingPhotograph vs. Drawing

Requirements for PhotographsRequirements for Photographs

nn Color photographs and color drawings are not Color photographs and color drawings are not permitted in design applications in the absence of a permitted in design applications in the absence of a grantable petition pursuant to grantable petition pursuant to § 1.84(a)(2). 1.84(a)(2).

37 C.F.R. 1.15237 C.F.R. 1.152

nn Photographs submitted in lieu of ink drawings must Photographs submitted in lieu of ink drawings must comply with 37 CFR 1.84(b). However, the comply with 37 CFR 1.84(b). However, the requirement of 37 CFR 1.84(b)(1) for a petition, requirement of 37 CFR 1.84(b)(1) for a petition, petition fee, and three sets of black and white petition fee, and three sets of black and white photographs has been waived, and only one set of photographs has been waived, and only one set of black and white photographs is now required.black and white photographs is now required.

See 1213 O.G. 108 (Aug. 4, 1998), 1211 O.G. 34 (June 9, 1998), See 1213 O.G. 108 (Aug. 4, 1998), 1211 O.G. 34 (June 9, 1998), and MPEP 1503.02.and MPEP 1503.02.

New MatterNew Matter

nn Removing OR Adding detail in the Removing OR Adding detail in the drawings can result in a “new matter” drawings can result in a “new matter” rejection.rejection.

nn Practice tip: do not use informal drawings.Practice tip: do not use informal drawings.

Utility vs. DesignUtility vs. Design

Utility vs. Design PatentsUtility vs. Design Patents

18 mos.18 mos.24 mos.24 mos.Avg. Avg. pendencypendency

Up to 6 mos.Up to 6 mos.Up to 1 yr.Up to 1 yr.Foreign PriorityForeign Priority

NoNoYesYesPCTPCT

NoNoYesYesMaintenance Maintenance FeesFees

14 yrs from 14 yrs from GrantGrant

20 yrs from 20 yrs from FilingFiling

TermTerm

DesignDesignUtilityUtility

Searching for Design PatentsSearching for Design Patents

(And an example of a missed (And an example of a missed opportunity)opportunity)

Design Patent Searching Design Patent Searching -- USPTOUSPTO

E.g. E.g. –– Ruger Ruger design patentsdesign patents

Ruger Ruger –– 11 design patents11 design patents

E.g. Rifle

Pistol barrelHandgun grip

RevolverPistol

E.g. Rifle

Pistol barrelHandgun grip

RevolverPistol

Others Others –– no firearm design patentsno firearm design patents

No firearm design patentsNo firearm design patents

Beretta Beretta –– missed opportunity?missed opportunity?

Beretta Taurus(Knock-off)

Ruger Ruger –– good use of design patentgood use of design patent

SummarySummary

nn Broadening ProtectionBroadening Protection–– Broken linesBroken lines–– Multiple applicationsMultiple applications–– EmbodimentsEmbodiments

nn Shortening the ApplicationShortening the Application–– “Mirror” Images“Mirror” Images–– Showing half the designShowing half the design

nn TipsTips–– Different positionsDifferent positions–– DetailsDetails

nn PhotographsPhotographs

Max CiccarelliMax Ciccarelli

THOMPSON & KNIGHT L.L.P.THOMPSON & KNIGHT L.L.P.max@max@tklawtklaw.com.com

Taking Taking Design Design

Patents to Patents to the Next the Next

LevelLevel

design patent presentation

Documents

indian patent office publishes patent industrial design...

patent design arounds: minimizing risk of infringement or...

patent glazing.. grp presentation

open patent data launch presentation

trips-patent,trademarks,industrial design

ndian patent office publishes patent industrial design...

patent reform - fish presentation

design patent infringementb - harvard...

patent & design protection

ip and patent presentation 2.0

u.s. patent litigation presentation 2011

design patent and utility patent

5159703 patent - silent subliminal presentation

patent: patent searching / a presentation at nalsar...

presentation tragedy of the patent

design patent services, design patent - einfolge

patent presentation

design patent quality - memberclicks design... ·...

patent-kg: a patent knowledge graph for engineering design

patent design