What is the priority period for design patent applications under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d)?

Source: FAQ (MPEP-Based)BlueIron Update: 2024-09-27

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.

The priority period for design patent applications under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d) is six months. This is specified in 35 U.S.C. 172, which states:

The right of priority provided for by subsections (a) through (d) of section 119 shall be six months in the case of designs.

This means that to obtain the benefit of an earlier foreign filing date, the U.S. design patent application must be filed within 6 months of the earliest date on which any foreign application for the same design was filed.

Tags: 35 u.s.c. 119, 35 u.s.c. 172, design patents, Foreign Filing, Priority Claims