On September 29, 2020, TIPO announced amendments to the Examination Guidelines for Patents, specifically to Chapter III – Substantive Examination of Design Patents. The revisions, which come into effect on November 1, reflect recent developments in design patent practices. In addition to protecting emerging technologies, they are designed to spur the expansion of our digital innovation economy.

Among the key changes, the former requirement that computer-generated icon and GUI design patents be limited to physical objects only has been revised. Disclosure requirements for design patent applications have also been relaxed. These steps should make it easier for software companies to obtain more comprehensive design patent protection.

What is more, disclosure requirements relating to design patent specifications and drawings have become less stringent, with buildings and interior designs henceforth expressly eligible for design patent protection. The rules governing divisional design patent applications have also been made less restrictive.

• Publish Date : 2020-11-27
• Update : 2020-11-27
• Organization : International Legal Affairs Office
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