Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahawk
My company deals with this all the time...and we have a "guy who knows a guy" because the downside of IP/Data Rights/Patent infringement dwarfs the upside unless you are careful.
There are specific things that garner IP and a Patent, none of them have anything to do with a specific vehicle or shape, none...you can't Patent an airplane or a car but you can Patent a wing design for an airplane or an application for a car...
Long post, just get a Guy or Gal, five hours time and you should be clear. Worth the money.
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Actually, this is not true.
A utility patent is exactly what you describe but the US does have design patents as well which cover the look and ornamentality of a design.
The Difference Between Design and Utility Patents
In general terms, a "utility patent" protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a "design patent" protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171). Both design and utility patents may be obtained on an article if invention resides both in its utility and ornamental appearance. While utility and design patents afford legally separate protection, the utility and ornamentality of an article are not easily separable. Articles of manufacture may possess both functional and ornamental characteristics.
https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/apply/design-patent
Here is an example of a design patent - the Tesla Model X:
https://patents.google.com/patent/USD683268S1/en
Note the D prefix in the patent number.
