Design Patents

South Carolina Design Patent Lawyer

Design patents are intended to protect the ornamental design or aesthetic appearance of a manufactured product. Unlike utility patents, design patents do not cover the functionality of an object but rather its shape, configuration, and color. At The McGougan Law Firm, LLC, we work closely with businesses, entrepreneurs, inventors, and others in preparing and filing design patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Our attorney conducts patent searches and prior art evaluations in order to determine if a design is unique according to the terms of 35 U.S.C. §171. Conducting a patent search can save our client's time and money and help avoid unnecessary litigation, especially when a design is similar to an existing patented design.

Design patents often accompany utility patents. If you need legal advise or representation in regard to a design or utility patent, contact our intellectual property lawyer at The McGougan Law Firm, LLC today,

The Applicability of a Design Patent

The McGougan Law Firm, LLC evaluates and files design patents in regard to the following:

• Packaging designs
• Trademark / logo design
• Jewelry
• Bottled containers
• Furniture
• Computer graphics and icons
• Clothing design
• Automobile design

Filing for a Design Patent

After our attorney conducts a patent search, a patentability opinion is drafted, and a recommendation for a particular patent application filing is made should the subject matter warrant patent protection. Since it's not unusual for an USPTO examiner to require revisions and changes concerning an application, we're prepared to work with our client through every step in the process. If the examiner rejects any portion of the application, our patent attorney prepares a substantive response to an examiner's objections and rejections.

Contact Design Patent Attorneys at The McGougan Law Firm, LLC

While the design patent process is relatively straight forward, it can become confusing and complicated. Our patent attorney's experience and knowledge in preparing patent applications and interacting with the USPTO means we can often save our clients time and money in the long run.

To schedule an appointment and discuss how we can help you, contact our design patent attorney at The McGougan Law Firm, LLC today.