Via Gawker, Google has obtained (Sept. 1, 2009) a design patent that covers its user interface. USPN D599,372.
What’s amazing to me is how long it took to obtain the patent, the application was filed on March 7, 2006.
It is also a good example of a patent containing a copyright or mask notice (see my earlier post on Are Patent Drawings in the Public Domain?).
4 Responses to “Google patents (design) its user interface”
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Design patents are growing in stature, not considered the “Jan Brady” of IP they once were.
I agree completely. They have a role.
Wow… interesting file history. It shows that problems can occur for everyone… old Attorney was denied petition to withdrawal when he cited transferring to a new Attorney as the reason, and they kept getting ex Parte Quayle actions for the gray shading…
Google also has a patent on their patent-search page: http://www.designpatents.us/v/20090428/D0591304.png/