Designs in USA (United States of America)

• Preamble, stating name of the applicant, title of the design*, and a brief description of the nature and intended use of the article in which the design is embodied;
• Cross-reference to related applications (unless included in the application data sheet).
• Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development.
• Description of the figure(s) of the drawing (No description, other than a reference to the drawing, is ordinarily required);
• Feature description;
• A single claim (More than one claim is not permitted);
• Drawings or photographs;
• Executed oath or declaration.

*The title of the design must designate particular article.

• The elements of the design application, if applicable, should appear in the following order:

• Design application transmittal form.
• Fee transmittal form.
• Application data sheet.
• Specification.
• Drawings or photographs.
• Executed oath or declaration.

• The specification should include the following sections in order:

• Preamble, stating the name of the applicant, title of the design, and a brief description of the nature and intended use of the article in which the design is embodied.
• Cross-reference to related applications (unless included in the application data sheet).
• Statement regarding federally sponsored research or development.
• Description of the figure or figures of the drawing.
• Feature description.
• A single claim.

(c) The text of the specification sections defined in paragraph (b) of this section, if applicable, should be preceded by a section heading in uppercase letters without underlining or bold type.

The applicant may request that the Office expedite the examination of a design application.

(1) The application must include drawings;

(2) The applicant must have conducted a pre-examination search; and

(3) The applicant must file a request for expedited examination including:

• fee; and
• A statement that a pre-examination search was conducted. The statement must also indicate the field of search and include an information disclosure statement.

Note: The Office will not examine an application that is not in condition for examination (e.g., missing basic filing fee) even if the applicant files a request for expedited examination under this section.

• Ornamentality;
• Novelty;
• Non-obviousness;
• Enablement and definiteness

Design applications filed on or after May 13, 2015 shall have the term of fifteen years from the date of grant. The term of a design patent is non-extendable.