Monday, November 11, 2019

Oh, patents! Fendi® (4) 3Baguette clasp

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

The Fendi® 3B (3Baguette) handbag comes equipped with a patented clasp, designed as a twist-lock, double "F"  Fendi® logo.  The US design patent USD761687S1, titled Clasp, discloses the ornamental design of this clasp, invented by Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi. 

Included below, the patent Figures 1 and 7.  Figure 1 shows the clasp closed, with a constructed double "F" Fendi® logo. Figure 7 shows the clasp open, with a deconstructed double "F" Fendi® logo. Also included below, the image of a marketed Fendi® 3Baguette bag, in gray and blue orchard print, with the closed patented twist-lock clasp, appearing as a constructed double "F" logo.

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Note that it is the ornamental design of the clasp that is patented, rather than the twist-lock mechanism of the double "F" logo. Indeed: “a utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works (35 U.S.C. 101), while a “design patent” protects the way an article looks (35 U.S.C. 171) [MPEP Chapt. 1502.01; [R-07.2015]].

References
Fendi®
https://www.fendi.com/us
MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent
https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html

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