International Design Patent Application

By: Sean D. Detweiler

Earlier this month, Congress passed S. 3486: Patent Law Treaties Implementation Act of 2012 (H.R. 6432 was previously passed by the House). The Act, if signed by the President, would allow those in the US to file a single international design patent application for international registration with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (instead of requiring separate filings in multiple countries). The Act would also change the term of a design patent from 14 to 15 years from the date of issuance, and provides for the publication of the international design application (also expanding Provisional Rights to such published application). Design patents cover the “ornamental” features of “articles of manufacture”. The bill may be tracked here.

For more information on this topic, please contact Sean D. Detweiler.