International Design Patent Protection: Developing a Global IP Strategy

Director Tracy-Gene G. Durkin will be a speaker in the Strafford webinar titled “International Design Patent Protection: Developing a Global IP Strategy” on Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT. This CLE webinar will guide patent counsel on protecting design patents in the global marketplace. The panel will discuss the critical differences between the patent laws in the U.S. and other jurisdictions and will offer best practices for U.S. companies and counsel to develop a global intellectual property strategy.

Description

U.S. companies are increasingly recognizing the need to protect their intellectual property across the globe. Companies must carefully consider not only where to seek protection, but also what type of protection to seek; factoring in considerations like where products are manufactured, where they are sold, where competitors are, and the availability of the desired rights in the potential jurisdictions.

Design rights are becoming an essential piece of the global IP strategy for many U.S. companies. Therefore, counsel must understand the nuances between patent laws and requirements of the U.S. and of other countries to protect the client’s designs.

While there have been attempts to harmonize design protection globally, for now, each jurisdiction has unique requirements that must be factored into a priority U.S. filing. For example, timing is critical because many countries, including China, generally require “absolute novelty” such that patent applications must be filed before disclosing a design anywhere in the world. Similarly, other jurisdictions, like Europe, require a specified number of views of the design. Some countries allow the protection of partial designs, others like China, still do not.

Listen as our authoritative panel of patent attorneys provides guidance on protecting design rights in the global marketplace. The panel will discuss the key differences between the patent laws in the U.S. and other countries that must be understood when developing a strong global IP strategy. The panel will offer best practices for U.S. companies on developing a global strategy.

Outline

1. Protecting designs in the global marketplace
   1. Determining whether and when to seek protection
   2. Determining where a design can and should be protected
   3. Timing for filing for protection
   4. Limitations on design rights
2. Compare/contrast U.S. design patent law with other jurisdictions and efforts to harmonize processes and procedures
   1. China
   2. EU
   3. Japan
   4. Hague Agreement
   5. Others
3. Global enforcement of design rights
4. Practical guidance for establishing a global design strategy

Benefits

The panel will review these and other high priority issues:

• What are the considerations for patent counsel drafting U.S. design patent applications when global patent protection is anticipated or desired?
• What are the significant differences between the U.S. and other jurisdictions’ approaches to design patent applications?
• What steps should counsel take when drafting U.S. design patent applications to maximize protection around the world?