Is an Industrial Design a Type of Patent?

Industrial design is an integral aspect of product development and innovation. It is a creative process that involves the combination of engineering, science, marketing, and art to create commercially viable products.

The industrial design process focuses on the aesthetic appearance of the product, its ergonomics and functionality. Industrial designs are protected by intellectual property rights such as copyright, trademarks, and patents.

A patent is a form of intellectual property protection that gives its owner the exclusive right to exclude others from making or selling a particular invention for a limited period of time. Patents are granted when certain criteria are met such as the invention being novel, useful and not obvious. Patents protect the industrial design by giving a monopoly to the inventor over their invention.

When it comes to industrial design patents, they must meet all of the criteria for obtaining a patent but also have specific requirements related to its aesthetic appearance. This includes anything from shape or colour to texture or sound. To receive an industrial design patent, these elements must be unique enough to be considered an original work of authorship.

In conclusion, an industrial design is considered a type of patent as long as it meets all of the criteria for obtaining a patent including uniqueness in its aesthetic appearance. Industrial designs are protected by intellectual property rights such as copyright, trademarks, and patents which can help protect inventors from infringement upon their inventions.