DESIGN PATENT LITIGATION

To be considered statutory subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 171, a claimed design must be embodied in “an article of manufacture.” In re Zahn, 617 F.2d 261,268, 204 U.S.P.Q. 988, 995 (CCPA 1980). The phrase “an article of manufacture” has been interpreted to be a tangible object or physical substance. See Henry Hanger & Display Fixture Corp. of America v. Sel-O-Rak Corp., 270 F.2d 635,640, 123 U.S.P.Q. 3, 6 (5th Cir. 1959); Pelouze Scale & Mfg. Co. v. American Cutlery Co., 102 F. 916, 918 (7th Cir. 1900). Kim Craftsmen, Ltd. v. Astra Products, Inc., 212 U.S.P.Q. 268 (D.N.J. 1980); 1 E. Lipscomb, Walker on Patents, 2:11 (1984), 1 W. Robinson, The Law of Patents, 200 (1890). A design may be embodied in an article of manufacture (1) as a configuration for an article of manufacture, (2) as a surface ornamentation for an article of manufacture, or (3) a combination of both. Gorham v. White, 81 U.S. 511,525 (1871); In re Schnell, 46 F.2d 203,209 (CCPA 1931); MPEP § 1502. App. No. 35,515/179, 2-27-24