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Monthly Minute | Design Patents
Patent Infringement: Successful Litigation Stays the "Course"
In a significant step toward modernizing design patent examination, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has introduced DesignVision, a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered image search tool now available...more
Many industries rely on design patents to protect the look and feel of their products—especially when aesthetics drive customer interest, brand identity, or market differentiation. In Top Brand LLC v. Cozy Comfort Company...more
In January 2025, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) implemented a broad set of fee increases and structural adjustments intended to address rising operational costs and encourage more efficient patent...more
Last week, the Federal Circuit issued its decision in Top Brand LLC v. Cozy Comfort Company LLC, clarifying the application of prosecution history disclaimer in the context of design patents. This alert summarizes the...more
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently issued a decision that highlights a risk in design patent prosecution—specifically, attempting to claim priority to a utility application. In re Floyd, the Federal...more
Please join Fitch Even for a free webinar, “Navigating the Changes to the Test for Obviousness in Design Patents After LKQ Corp. v. GM Global,” on Tuesday, October 29, at 9:00 a.m. PDT / 10:00 a.m. MDT / 11:00 a.m. CDT / 12...more
On Tuesday, the en banc Federal Circuit released its highly anticipated decision in LKQ v. GM Global Technology Operations LLC, rejecting as “improperly rigid” the previous standard for evaluating whether a design patent is...more
As autonomous vehicles and associated software become more commonplace in the automotive industry, it is important to recognize which forms of intellectual property grant protection within quickly evolving areas of technology...more
Personalized Media Communications, LLC v. Apple, Inc., Appeal No. 2021-2275 (Fed. Cir. Jan. 20, 2023) Our Case of the Week focuses on the doctrine of prosecution laches. Following a bench trial on the issue held shortly...more
From consumer products to graphical user interfaces to pharmaceuticals and medical devices, design patents have become essential tools in the IP toolkit for companies of all sizes. Not only are they relatively inexpensive and...more
As Vietnam rises as a consumer market, research hub and manufacturing center, patent rights are becoming increasingly important. In this podcast, Procopio Asia Pacific group leader and IP Partner Miku Mehta discusses with...more
In conjunction with the forthcoming release of the firm's inaugural year-in-review report, speakers will offer case summaries and analysis of particularly significant design patent updates and trends. Specifically, the...more
Last year, the continued global COVID-19 pandemic forced American courts to largely continue the procedures set in place in 2020. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was no exception. It briefly returned to live...more
[co-author: Jamie Dohopolski] Last year, the continued global COVID-19 pandemic forced American courts to largely continue the procedures set in place in 2020. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit was no...more
Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox invites you to a webinar, "Federal Circuit Appeals from the PTAB and ITC: Summaries of Key 2021 Decisions," on Thursday, February 17, 2022. In conjunction with the release of the firm's...more
Preparing and prosecuting medical device patents can be unique and challenging. Patent owners and practitioners often must consider a wide range of converging technologies from the mechanical, electrical, chemical, and...more
Product design holds tremendous monetary value globally. This often leads to successful designs falling victim to knock-offs that can damage brand loyalty and reduce revenue. Design patents, which protect the ornamental...more
A design patent protects the visual ornamental characteristics of an article, including consumer and industrial products, medical devices and related tools, sports equipment, jewelry, product packaging, and even web-based and...more
Design patent obviousness requires a heavy threshold burden of proof. Challengers have to find a “primary reference,” i.e., prior art that has “basically the same” design characteristics as the claimed design. Below is an...more
The Federal Circuit affirmed dismissal of design patent infringement claims under an estoppel theory triggered by amendments made to meet patentability requirements in Curver Luxembourg, SARL v. Home Expressions Inc., No....more
CURVER LUXEMBOURG, SARL v. HOME EXPRESSIONS INC. Before Chen, Hughes, and Stoll. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Summary: Claim language specifying the article of manufacture...more
Patent practitioners are probably well familiar with circumstances in which prosecution history estoppel can limit the scope of a U.S. utility patent’s claims. Examples include claim amendments and statements made by the...more
The July 2017 issue of Sterne Kessler's The Goods on IP discusses thinking like an Examiner to move prosecution forward, the wide variety of consumer product companies using design patents to protect their valuable product...more
In the wake of the high-profile dispute in Apple v. Samsung, design patent procurement and enforcement activity has increased significantly. But practitioners may not appreciate that design patent validity can be attacked...more
Decision Date: March 31, 2015 - Court: U.S. Patent Trial and Appeal Board - Patents: D622,531 - Holding: Examiner’s decision in reexamination proceeding not to adopt Requester’s obviousness rejections REVERSED...more