Design Patent: Definition, How It Works, Examples

What Is a Design Patent?

A design patent is a form of legal protection of the unique visual qualities of a manufactured item. A design patent may be granted if the product has a distinct configuration, distinct surface ornamentation or both. In other words, a design patent provides protection for the ornamental design of something that has a practical utility.

In the United States, that means an item that is substantially similar to something that has the protection of a design patent may not be made, copied, used or imported into the country. In other countries, a registered design may act as an alternative to a design patent. In certain European countries, patent protection for designs may be obtained for a fee and by meeting basic registration requirements.

How a Design Patent Works

An item or object that is protected by a design patent carries broad protection from copyright infringement. A design that was not intended to be a copy and which was devised independently from an existing, design patent-protected item may still infringe upon that design patent.

In some countries, such as the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, and South Africa, applications for design patents are kept secret until they are granted. In Japan, secrecy can be extended to three years after registration is granted. The first U.S. design patent was awarded in 1842 for printing typefaces and border (fonts).

Design Patent vs. Utility Patent

A design patent should not be confused with a utility patent, which safeguards an item’s unique way of operating or functionality. A design patent protects how an object looks. A single product may have both a design patent and a utility patent at the same time. One of the key differences between the two patents is their lifespan.

While a design patent may last 14 or 15 years, depending on its filing. A utility patent lasts for 20 years and requires periodic maintenance fees. A design patent does not require maintenance fees.

Design Patent Examples

Some examples of design patents include ornamental designs on jewelry, automobiles or furniture, as well as packaging, fonts and computer icons (such as emojis). Some famous design patent objects include the original curvy Coca-Cola bottle (1915) and the Statue of Liberty (1879).

When a company’s product design has substantial cachet, a design patent solidifies its competitive advantage by penalizing other firms that try to develop similar-looking items. For example, Apple has been awarded damages reportedly totaling more than $900 million from Samsung, which violated its iPhone design patents.