Design patent

Design patent is not the same as a normal patent. A design patent covers "look and feel" rather than functionality.

In September 2009, Google got a design patent on the layout of their homepage. This caused a lot of controversy.

Related pages on en.swpat.org

• How to read patents
• software patents - the real problem
• Utility models and innovation patents - another kind of special patent

External links

• Design patent, Wikipedia
• Apple v. Samsung: Intelligence on Apple’s U.S. Design Patent Offensive, 28 Oct 2011, Christopher Carani
• Design Patents: Eliminating the Ornamental/Functional Dichotomy, 25 Apr 2010, Patently-O
• Design Patents on Images Shown on a Computer, 8 Mar 2013, Patently-O

Example design patents

• Google Granted Design Patent on Search Webpage, 3 Sep 2009, IP Watchdog
• Apple granted design patent on Cover Flow, 8 Apr 2010, engadget
• Apple receives another Cover Flow design patent, 5 Oct 2010, Patently Apple
• Microsoft sues Datel for patent infringement on gamepads, 2 Apr 2010, techspot (note: in this case the infringing product is hardware, not software)

References

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