Meanwhile a design patent protects the ornamental appearance of something — that is, the way it looks, not the way it functions. In 2021, the company was issued 6 design patents and 17 utility patents. Other industry companies with strong design patent portfolios include Garmin, with many covering the appearance of watches, watch straps, watch bezels, and bike computers. Another factor in this trend may be that an application for a design patent is much less complicated and far less expensive than that of a utility patent. Total cost for a obtaining a design patent might range from 10%-20% of the total cost for a utility patent.

Source: Washington Post September 15, 2022 19:12 UTC