Patent Clothing Design

However it is a long and difficult process.

Patent clothing design. Design patent protection lasts for 14 or 15 years depending on the filing date. The united states patent and trademark office used to take a year or more to review design patent applications. It s also possible to copyright the fabric print you design for your clothes the actual print itself and not the cloth or the cut is copyrightable. All clothing designs are immediately protected by a copyright however any small change and it is a new design.

The clothing industry is fast paced and designers both small and large face the serious issue of design knockoffs. Most of the time you would patent the unique design of your apparel with a design patent. Clothing companies will often patent a unique design to prevent other companies from imitating it. Some designers seek to patent their clothing designs to prevent others from copying their work.

For example a particular cut a pattern distinctive embroidery and designs on a t shirt or a dress that make the item of clothing distinctive are covered under industrial designs. Clothing can be patented. A design patent may be available for a new and unique ornamental design such as marine corps camo patterns. A design patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new original and ornamental design for an article of clothing.

In canada you can secure design patents by the way of industrial design registration. This is because you are claiming invention of the unique look of the clothing and not the clothing itself. Protecting your clothing brand from imposters will give you peace of mind and also.