On March 18, the USPTO issued a guidance document on how to examine claims that recite functional limitations without necessarily using the term “means” under 35 U.S.C. § 112. The guidance document aims to improve clarity,...more
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published new guidance in the Federal Register on November 17, 2023, that clarifies the requirements for design patents of computer-generated images, icons, and graphical user interfaces. ...more
Over the last 20 years, the total number of design patents issued per year in the United States has erupted. As illustrated in the graph below and further highlighted in this animated graph, in the 30 year period between the...more