The Design of the Original Apple iPhone

This is a design patent protecting the specific visual appearance and physical shape of a portable electronic device, commonly recognized as the iPhone.

What it covers

This patent covers the ornamental design of a portable display device. Unlike utility patents that protect how a machine works, this design patent protects the aesthetic choices: the rounded corners, the placement of the screen, the bezel width, and the overall physical form factor. It establishes a legal monopoly over the specific visual look of the device as depicted in the patent drawings. If a competitor creates a device that looks substantially similar to the average observer, it could be considered an infringement of this design.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover any internal hardware, circuitry, or software functionality.
• —Does not cover the internal operating system or user interface logic.
• —Does not cover devices with a different physical shape, such as square-edged or non-rectangular devices.
• —Does not cover the utility of the device, such as its ability to make calls or connect to the internet.

The clever bit

The cleverness lies in securing legal protection for the 'minimalist' aesthetic, where the device is defined by what is absent—no buttons on the front face, just a clean, uniform display surface.

Why it matters

Design patents like this were central to the high-stakes legal battles between Apple and Samsung in the 2010s. By protecting the 'look and feel' of the device, Apple was able to challenge competitors who mimicked the iconic silhouette of the iPhone. It shifted the industry focus toward the importance of industrial design as a core competitive advantage.

Real-world examples

• 1.Apple iPhone 4
• 2.Apple iPhone 4S