DesignPatentPresentation byMaxCiccarelli PDF

Taking
Design
Patents to
Max Ciccarelli
the Next
Level max@tklaw .com
 ‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

Clothing Food
Telecom
Firearms Sporting Equipment
Examples of Design Patents

Software High Tech
Footwear Manufacturing
Semiconductor
Devices House wares
Automotive
Electronics
Bottles
Electronics
 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

Automotive

Footwear

Firearms

Food

Clothing

High Tech Manufacturing

Telecomm

Semiconductor Devices

Poison Bottles

Sporting Equipment

House wares

Computer Displays

Outline
n Basics
n Broadening Protection
n Shortening the Application
n Miscellaneous Tips
n Computer Displays
n Photographs

Who can get a design patent?
n “Whoever invents any new, original and

ornamental design for an article of
manufacture”
35 U.S.C. 171

What does a design patent protect?
The:
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 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 Application

The Specification
n “No description, other

than a reference to the
drawing, is ordinarily
required.”
37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)

The Claim
n The ornamental design for a _________, as

shown and described.
37 C.F.R. 1.153(a)

Title, Claim, and Specification
Title
Claim
Spec.

The First Design Patent
November 19, 1842

Broadening Protection

n Broken lines
n Multiple applications
n Embodiments

Use of Broken Lines
n The two most common uses of broken lines

are to
– disclose the environment related to the claimed
design
– and to define the bounds of the claim. . . .
n A broken line showing is for illustrative
purposes only and forms no part of the
claimed design or a specified embodiment
thereof.
MPEP 1503.02

Use of Broken Lines
Environment
Environment

Use of Broken Lines
Environment
Environment
A broken line showing is for
illustrative purposes only and
forms no part of the claimed
design or a specified
embodiment thereof.

Use of Broken Lines
Environment
Environment

Use of Broken Lines
Bounds
Bounds

What not to do
Elmer v. ICC
67 F.3d 1571
(Fed. Cir. 1995)

What not to do
Keystone v. Westrock
997 F.2d 1444
(Fed. Cir. 1993)

What not to do
Keystone v. Westrock
997 F.2d 1444
(Fed. Cir. 1993)

Better?

n Broken lines
n Embodiments

Use of Multiple Applications
Des. 356,772
Des. 356,757
Des. 363,561
Des. 291,144 Des. 299,583



n Broken lines
n Embodiments

Multiple Embodiments
n It is permissible to illustrate more than one

embodiment of a design invention in a single
application. However, such embodiments may be
presented only if they involve a single inventive
concept and are not patentably distinct from one
another. Embodiments that are patentably distinct
over one another do not constitute a single
inventive concept and thus may not be included in
the same design application.
MPEP 1504.05

Embodiments

Embodiments

Embodiments

Embodiments

Shortening the Application
(and saving money on draftsman fees)

“Mirror” Images

Showing half the design

Showing half the design

Miscellaneous Tips
Positions
Details
Software Displays

Different positions

Details

Software Displays
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).

Software Displays
PTO: Icons without
representation of
PTO: Guidelines for
computer screen
Examination of
O.K. (Two Xerox
Design Patent
applications
Applications for
allowed)
Computer
Generated Icons
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
PTO: Stopped
issuing patents for
computer generated
icons

Software Displays
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.

Software Displays

Software Displays

Use of Photographs

Photograph

Photograph – too much detail?

Photograph – too little detail?

Drawing – just right?

Drawing – just right?
Claimed elements

Illustration Options
n Drawings
– Black Ink [37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(1)]
– Color [37 C.F.R. 1.84(a)(2)]
n Photographs
– Black and White [37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(1)]
– Color [37 C.F.R. 1.84(b)(2)]

Requirements for Photographs
Photographs are acceptable only in

applications in which
the invention is not capable of being
illustrated in an ink drawing or
where the invention is shown more clearly
in a photograph (e.g., photographs of
ornamental effects are acceptable).
MPEP 1503.02

Photograph vs. Drawing

Requirements for Photographs
n Color photographs and color drawings are not

permitted in design applications in the absence of a
grantable petition pursuant to § 1.84(a)(2).
37 C.F.R. 1.152
n Photographs submitted in lieu of ink drawings must

comply with 37 CFR 1.84(b). However, the
requirement of 37 CFR 1.84(b)(1) for a petition,
petition fee, and three sets of black and white
photographs has been waived, and only one set of
black and white photographs is now required.
See 1213 O.G. 108 (Aug. 4, 1998), 1211 O.G. 34 (June 9, 1998),
and MPEP 1503.02.

New Matter
n Removing OR Adding detail in the

drawings can result in a “new matter”
rejection.
n Practice tip: do not use informal drawings.

Utility vs. Design

Utility vs. Design Patents
Utility Design
Term 20 yrs from 14 yrs from
Filing Grant
Maintenance Yes No
Fees
PCT Yes No
Foreign Priority Up to 1 yr. Up to 6 mos.
Avg. pendency 24 mos. 18 mos.
Searching for Design Patents
(And an example of a missed

opportunity)

Design Patent Searching - USPTO

E.g. – Ruger design patents

Ruger – 11 design patents
E.g.
E.g.
Rifle
Rifle
Pistol
Pistolbarrel
barrel
Handgun
Handgungripgrip
Revolver
Revolver
Pistol
Pistol

Others – no firearm design patents
No
Nofirearm
firearmdesign
designpatents
patents

Beretta – missed opportunity?
Beretta Taurus
(Knock-off)

Ruger – good use of design patent

Summary
n Broadening Protection
– Broken lines
– Multiple applications
– Embodiments
n Shortening the Application
– “Mirror” Images
– Showing half the design
n Tips
– Different positions
– Details
n Photographs
Taking
Design
Patents to
Max Ciccarelli
the Next
THOMPSON & KNIGHT L.L.P.
Level max@tklaw .com

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Taking

 ‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

Firearms Sporting Equipment

Examples of Design Patents

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

n “Whoever invents any new, original and

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

See 35 USC 171; see also Gorham Mfg. Co. v. White, 81

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

n Whether an ordinary observer,

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

n “No description, other

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

n The ornamental design for a _________, as

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

n The two most common uses of broken lines

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

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Des. 291,144 Des. 299,583

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

n It is permissible to illustrate more than one

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

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(and saving money on draftsman fees)

 ‘01, ’02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli

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 ’01, ‘02, Max Ciccarelli