Design patent

1) and computer icons are examples of objects that are covered by design patents.

In Kenya, Japan, South Korea and Hungary, industrial designs are registered after performing an official novelty search.

Apple's patent showed much of their iPhone design as broken lines.

[4] There is substantial case law, however, on how to evaluate design patent non-obviousness.

Icons are only covered, however, when they are displayed on a computer screen, thus making them part of an article of manufacture with practical utility.

[7] In China, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the United States,[8] a design patent application is not published and is kept secret until granted.

In Japan,[9] an applicant can request that a design be kept secret for a period of up 3 years after the registration has been granted.

Providing the maintenance fees are paid, utility patents are generally valid for up to 20 years from the date of filing (with some exceptions).

"MPEP - Distinction Between Design and Utility Patents Copyright prevents nonfunctional items from being copied.

The copyrighted artistic expression must either have no substantial practical utility (e.g. a statue) or be separable from the useful substrate (e.g. picture on a coffee mug).

Design patents, on the other hand, protect the ornamental aspects of an article of manufacture from being infringed.

[16][17] Trademarks and trade dress are used to protect consumers from confusion as to the source of specified goods.