Virtual Design Series: Implementing design patents into a business strategy

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) hosted its first annual Design Webinar Series in 2021, and continued in 2022 with a focus on developing your design strategy. These series demonstrated the many benefits design patents bring to an intellectual property (IP) portfolio, both in terms of maximizing value and success in enforcement. 

The USPTO continues these discussions with their annual Design Webinar Series in 2023. In the first session, we will focus on design patent basics, including using the new search tool, and how design patent examination, strategy, and scope differ from utility patents. Additionally, you’ll hear from industry experts on approaches to maximizing business value with design patents, and how to integrate design patents into a portfolio that includes utility patents, copyrights, and trademarks. In the second session, we’ll progress to an intermediate discussion on the USPTO’s perspective on leveraging design patents, and the path applications take from filing to grant. Our industry experts will give an overview of the nuances of developing a global design patent strategy and aligning that strategy with an overall portfolio strategy while avoiding common pitfalls. The final session will focus on current USPTO updates, recent caselaw, and special or unique issues related to design patents, including more advanced strategies. Series dates: Part 1, hosted by The Western Regional, and Rocky Mountain Regional Offices – June 28; Part 2, hosted by the Texas Regional, and Midwest Regional Offices – July 12; and the final session hosted by the Eastern Regional Outreach Office – August 9th.

Part 1: Western and Rocky Mountain Region Design

June 28, 1:00-2:30 Eastern

Part 2: Southern and Midwestern Region Design

July 12, 1:00-2:30 Eastern

Part 3: Eastern Region Design

August 9, 1:00-2:30 Eastern

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) collects this information under authority of 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2). The information you provide will be used to register to participate in Agency-sponsored events and programs designed to disseminate information to the public on topics related to patents and trademarks.  This system includes information about individuals who have requested participation in an Agency-sponsored event or program. The information is protected from disclosure to third parties in accordance with the Privacy Act. However, routine uses of this information may include disclosure to the following: to non-Federal personnel under contract to the Agency; to a court for adjudication and litigation; to the Department of Justice for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) assistance; to members of Congress working on behalf of an individual; and to National Archives and Records Administration for inspection of records. If you do not furnish the requested information, the USPTO may not be able to process your request for participation in the event or program. The applicable Privacy Act System of Records Notice for this information request is PAT-TM-19, Dissemination Events and Registrations: Federal Register vol. 71 December 27, 2006, page 77739, available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/12/27/E6-22122/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records.