A design patent protects the appearance of a product rather than its function. It’s one of the most misunderstood areas of intellectual property, yet it plays a powerful role in protecting visual innovation. This type of patent safeguards the ornamental design of an article, meaning its unique visual features—such as shape, surface patterns, configuration, or aesthetic aspects. If you’ve ever created a product that stands out due to how it looks, a design patent could protect that value from imitators. Unlike utility patents, which protect how things work, design patents protect how things look. And in many industries—fashion, tech, consumer goods, packaging—that look is the heart of a brand’s success. Definition of a Design Patent A design patent is granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to protect new, original, and ornamental designs applied to manufactured articles. To qualify: The design must be original and not copied from others It must b...
We are an Intellectual Property Service Provider which specializes in providing IP-related support services helping you move forward with your application. We are the fastest-growing organization providing IP support globally. We help individuals, mid to large-sized law firms, and corporates with their IP requirements. All your patent needs can be supported by our team of experts in one place.