Oh, patents! Longchamp® (5) Le Pliage (vintage)

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Some of the Longchamp® Le Pliage models are already vintage. For example, the model included below with vertical zippers, allowing the handbag to expand with color-contrasting gussets, is vintage. It was granted the US design patent USD495486S1, titled Handbag.

As a reminder:

“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]]. 

Figures 2 and 7, extracted from the patent, show the vintage Longchamp® Le Pliage, top-handle handbag, respectively zipped and unzipped. Also included, the image of a previously marketed model, in tan, with contrasting white gussets. 

References

Lonchamp®

https://us.longchamp.com/

MPEP – Chapt. 1502-01 – Distinction between design and utility patent

https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html