Design Patents
Protect the ornamental appearanceof a product — its shape, configuration, or surface decoration. They do not protect functional features. In the US, design patents last 15 years from grant. The famous Apple vs. Samsung case turned largely on design patents covering the iPhone's rounded rectangle and icon grid.
vs. Utility Patents
Utility patents protect how something works — the functional aspects of an invention. They last 20 years from filing. The same product can have both — for example, a product with a novel mechanism (utility) and a distinctive look (design). See also: Patent vs. Copyright →
Design Patents
2 patents