And its subsidiaries hold over 160 patents in the United States, which cover the company’s products and processes. Charles and Ray Eames are two of the most revered innovators in American history. Her creations are still in high demand and continue to inspire people decades later. Charles Eames is the inventor of several patents from the late 1940s to the 1960s.
The USPTO grants design patents for new and original decorative designs for manufacturing items. Design patents only protect the appearance of the item, not features that are useful or structural. This is because a design is manifested through a visual appearance. Designs can relate to the configuration, shape, surface decoration, or a combination of the three elements of an item.
Design patents have a term of 14 years from the date of issue. During this period, an owner may exclude others from making items that violate the protected ornamental design. The basic test of whether an infringement has occurred is referred to as the “ordinary observer test,” which asks whether a person with prior art knowledge finds a significant similarity between the patented design and the accused design. Design patents are a fascinating intellectual property law that more developers and product developers should consider.
Eames patent labels were primarily found on the Eames Lounge Chair and the Fiberglass series of armchairs and side chairs.
