Legal Definitions - industrial design

Industrial design refers to the unique visual characteristics of a manufactured product. It encompasses the overall shape, the arrangement of its parts (its configuration), any distinctive patterns, or decorative elements that give the product its particular look and feel. The goal of industrial design is often to make a product visually appealing, user-friendly, and recognizable, distinguishing it from similar items. These unique aesthetic features can be legally protected, often through what is known as a design patent.

Here are some examples:

• Imagine the distinctive, sleek casing, the specific placement of ports, and the unique keyboard layout of a high-end laptop. These elements collectively form the laptop's industrial design. This particular combination of shape and configuration makes the laptop instantly recognizable and sets it apart visually from competitors, and these aesthetic choices can be legally protected.

• Consider a well-known brand of athletic shoes that features a signature wavy pattern on its sole and a specific arrangement of its lacing system. This unique pattern and configuration are part of the shoe's industrial design. These visual elements contribute to the shoe's brand identity and aesthetic appeal, and their distinctiveness can be safeguarded against unauthorized copying.

• Think about a classic kitchen appliance, like a stand mixer, known for its iconic rounded head, the specific curve of its mixing bowl, and the placement of its speed control knob. These carefully crafted visual attributes define the mixer's industrial design. This characteristic appearance is crucial for brand recognition and consumer appeal, and it can be protected to prevent other manufacturers from creating an identical-looking product.