Written by Richard A. Catalina, Jr.
A relatively little known Intellectual Property protection device is the “design” patent. While most are familiar with the general term “patent” – which, unless otherwise specified, means a “utility” patent – few are aware of “design” patents. Often, when a utility patent is not available on an invention, particularly on an article of manufacture, a design patent may be obtained, thereby providing the inventor/applicant with the protection of a U.S. patent.
