A design patent covers the unique, ornamental, or visible shape or surface ornamentation of an article or object, even if only on a computer screen. Thus if a lamp, a building, a computer case, or a desk has a truly unique shape, its design can be design patented. Even computer screen icons and an arrangement of printing on a piece of paper can be patented. A design must be for an article that is different from an object in its natural state; thus a figure of a man would not be suitable for a design patent but if the man is in an unnatural position, this can be patented. The uniqueness of the shape must be purely ornamental or aesthetic and part of an article. If the design is functional, then only a utility patent is proper, even if it is also aesthetic. A good example is a jet plane with a constricted waist (narrow body) for reducing turbulence at supersonic speeds: Although the novel shape is attractive, its functionality makes it suitable for a utility patent only. A useful way to distinguish between a design and a utility invention is to ask, "Will removing or smoothing out the novel features substantially impair the function of the device?" If so, as in the jet plane with the narrowed body, this proves that the novel features have a significant functional purpose, so a utility patent in indicated. According to David Pressman's book "Patent it Yourself" two useful questions to ask to define design innovations are: (1) Is the novel feature(s) there for structural or functional reasons, or only for the purpose of ornamentation? (2) Does the novel feature make it look better or work better? (The utilitarian function always prevails.) If the state of the arts is such that the general nature of the feature and its function is old, but the feature has a novel shape that is an aesthetic improvement, then only a design patent will be proper. The design patent application must consist primarily of drawings, along with formal paperwork and a filing fee. Design patents last 14 years from the date of issuance.

For us to be successful, we need to understand your needs and deliver technologies that meet your needs. This is the essence of co-creation or synergy. We both benefit from having an ongoing relationship. With this in mind, we want to emphasize our commitment to you, our customer. You are the reason we are in business. Lewis' original idea came from working with people like you — people with a desire to better understand how the IP landscape influences business strategy and decision making. our commitment to you. For us to be successful, we need to understand your needs and deliver technologies that meet your needs. This is the essence of co-creation or synergy. We both benefit from having an ongoing relationship. With this in mind, we want to emphasize our commitment to you, our customer. You are the reason we are in business. Lewis' original idea came from working with people like you — people with a desire to better understand how the IP landscape influences business strategy and decision making. Here at IP Street, we believe you belong on a pedestal. Rather than develop technologies and impose them upon you, we are interested in providing a different model. Listening to you, understanding what you need based on our subject matter expertise, and then providing tools that meet those needs. So far, we have heard that you want a simplification of complex patent documents. You want more than search results, you want visual results that have concrete, real-world significance. You want efficient patent search tools, better resources to patent duration and determining patent value. You want business intelligence from IP that is meaningful and actionable. Are we right? For many of you, based on what you have been telling us about what our product can do, we believe we are. However, we are still listening. So if you have further suggestions and wishes, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If the complexities of legalities seems simple, you may want to consider becoming a patent agent or patent attorney. If you are a do-it-yourselfer (DIY), you may want to get David Pressman's book "Patent it Yourself" or David Hitchcock's book "Patent Searching Made Easy". If you are like the rest of us, this process does not seem simple. Sure it may cost some money to engage someone to guide you through this process, so you need to carefully consider your innovation in context of (1) is it patentable? and (2) is it a viable business opportunity? It may, however, be in your best interest to learn as much as you can about the system and then hire a competent patent attorney to get the job done. Just think what it would cost to great idea, poorly patented, which may ultimately cost you "like a bigillion dollars in lost royalties or something like that."

Yes, patents do relate to marketing strategy. A firm's brand power is a function of the belief that its products have sophisticated, state-of-the-art, and proprietary technology. Learn more how to identify the key technologies that are embedded into your brand promise.