How can I protect designs cancelled from an international design application due to a restriction requirement?
This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.
Designs cancelled from a nonprovisional international design application as a result of a restriction requirement can be protected through the filing of divisional applications. These divisional applications can be filed in two ways:
- As a design application under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16, or
- As an international design application designating the United States
According to MPEP 2920.05(b): “Protection of designs cancelled from a nonprovisional international design application as a result of a restriction requirement may be pursued through the filing of a divisional application(s). Such a divisional application may be filed either as a design application under 35 U.S.C. chapter 16 or as an international design application designating the United States.“
For more detailed information on divisional applications, refer to MPEP § 2920.05(e).