Design Patent vs Utility Patent

To begin with, there are two types of patents. There are design patents and utility patents. And the patents that people normally think about are utility patents. It can be a mechanical, electrical, a chemical patent. Design patents are quite different. They cover the shape of an item. And when you’re product can be protected well by the shape that it has, then the design patent is right for you. And by the way, your invention might need both, but there are certain items where the shape really cannot be changed. And that’s perfect for a design patent. If in fact, your invention could have several different shapes, then a design patent may not make sense because you may need several of them.