Design Patents

A design patent is the US equivalent of a Canadian industrial design.

November 16, 2023
Photograph of a hand holding a lucky four-leaf clover

Will the Third Time Be the Charm in This Design Patent Saga?

Fed. Cir. No. 2021-2299, 2021-2338: This is the second time the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has reversed a finding of infringement and sent the design patent back to lower courts.
November 7, 2019
Pair of black and white Nike running shoes

Just Sue It: Nike Takes Skechers to Court For Copying Design Patents

Nike, Inc. v. Skechers U.S.A., Inc. – Nike claims that Skechers employs a “copying strategy” to sell “Skecherized versions” of Nike sneakers.
November 20, 2018

USMCA, the new NAFTA: what changes we can expect in Canadian IP Law

USMCA – On September 31, 2018, Canada reached a new agreement with the USA and Mexico – here is an overview.
April 18, 2017

SCOTUS affirms that design features incorporated into clothing may be eligible for copyright protection

580 U. S. (2017) - SCOTUS affirmed a lower court's decision that designs in the cheerleading uniforms designed, made and sold by Varsity were copyrightable material under section 101 of the Copyright Act of 1976.
January 5, 2017

Industrial Design Registration for Helmet Face Shield Deemed Valid But Not Infringed

2016 FC 435 - In this industrial design case, the FC commented that the more crowded the field, the smaller the degree of difference required to evade the protection afforded by existing registrations.
August 19, 2016

Injunctions for Patent Infringement: Only “Some” Connection Between a Product’s Infringing Features And Demand For Competitor’s Product is Required

(No. 14-1802 Fed. Cir.) - The CAFC held that a patentee does not have to prove that the infringing features of a competitor’s product were the exclusive or predominant reason why consumers bought the competitor’s product to obtain an injunction for patent infringement. Rather, it is sufficient to prove that there was some connection between the infringing features and the demand for the competitor’s product.
February 10, 2016

FCA Upholds Claim-by-Claim Construction and Test for Functionality in Industrial Designs

2015 FCA 115 - The FCA restated the law on functionality of industrial designs and the requirement that patent claims be construed on a claim-by-claim basis.
November 6, 2015

USPTO Design Patent Fee 48% Increase

The USPTO is proposing a 48% increase in government fees to obtain a design patent.
May 23, 2015

FCA Upholds Rejection of a Motion for Particulars to Rebut Industrial Design Proprietorship

Imperial Manufacturing Group Inc v Decor Grates Incorporated, 2015 FCA 100 - Faced with the rebuttable presumption that Decor was the proprietor of the industrial design, it was on the plaintiff to adduce evidence to the contrary, not to fish for the supporting facts from Decor during pleadings.
May 11, 2015

Hague Agreement Offers Expedited Industrial Design Registration

Beginning May 13, 2015, U.S. entities will be able to file a single international application in a single language to obtain protection for up to 100 industrial designs in over 64 territories. Canadians with U.S. relations may be able to participate.
August 21, 2013

FC Clarifies “Duty of Candor” in Canadian Patent Prosecution Practice

Varco Canada Ltd. et al v. Pason Systems Inc. et al – 2013 FC 750 This action relates to the infringement of Varco’s Canadian Patent No. […]