Oh, patents! Fendi® (5) Handag straps

Copyright Françoise Herrmann

Fendi® has created a large selection of handbag straps, both to accessorize and transform handbags into shoulder bags. Fendi® handbag straps are patented in the US design patent USD841985S1, titled Strap for bag. The patent was awarded to Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi. 

Below, the patent figure 1.2, showing the Fendi® handbag strap. According to the patent, the strap break lines, drawn on the patent figure 1.2, are meant to indicate the “indeterminate length of the strap”. The patent further specifies that the appearance of anything showing in between the break lines is beyond the ornamental design covered by the patent. 

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]]. 

Included below the patent figure 1.2, some of the varied, long and short, marketed Fendi® strap models, designed for the Fendi® Baguette, and many other Fendi® bag styles.

References

Fendi® USA

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

Oh, patents! Fendi® (3) This is not a bag....

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

 According to Fendi®: It's a Baguette! 

Fendi®'s most iconic handbag, created in 1997, by Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi, is called the Baguette bag. Since it was first launched, more than 700 different models have been created. 

The Fendi® Baguette bag, just like the long french baguette bread that gets tucked under your arm, was also originally designed with a very short shoulder strap, so that it could get tucked, in just the same place.

Awarded the US design patent USD767884, titled Handbag, the Fendi® 3B (3Baguette) is a newer version, launched in 2014, of the classic 1997 Baguette bag. The 3B has an extendable shoulder strap and a patented twist-lock clasp. 

When the 3B was first launched, Fendi® asked 5 influential women to design their own Fendi® 3B bags. Fendi® selected Rihanna,  Sarah Jessica Parker,  Rachel Feinstein,  Jourdan Dunn and Leandra Medine, to design the five new 3B bags. The bags were then auctioned within the context of a large philanthropic event, on the occasion of the opening of the Fendi® flagship store, on Madison Avenue, in NYC, on February 13, 2015. In turn, the proceeds of the event were all donated to five philanthropic organizations, selected by the star designers.

The patent Figure 2 drawing of the 3B is included below, together with Images of the five, star-designed, 3B bags created on the occasion of the Fendi® flagship store inauguration on Madison Avenue, in NYC.

  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]]. 

References
Fendi®
https://www.fendi.com/us
Five Fendi 3baguette by 5 iconic women - Crash Magazine 
https://www.crash.fr/fendi-3baguette-by-5-iconic-women/

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

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

Zilkha, B. (2-14-2015) Fendi celebrates opening of the New York flagship Store – Forbes Magazine

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bettinazilkha/2015/02/14/fendi-celebrates-the-opening-of-the-new-york-flagship-store/#561aee0659d2

Oh, patents! Fendi® (2) Sock-Sneaker

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Also awarded to Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi, on April 9, 2019, the US design patent USD844948, titled Shoe, a shoe marketed as the Sock-Sneaker. The Sock-Sneaker is a slip-on, high-top sneaker with a  knitted upper that hugs the wearer’s foot and ankle.  

The Fendi® Sock-Sneaker upper is knitted in a variety of different patterns. Below, the patent Figure 1, and two different marketed Sock-Sneaker models: one with a striped upper, and the other embellished with pearl beads.

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]]. 

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

Oh, patents! Fendi® (1) Sock Ankle Boot

Copyright © Françoise Herrmann

Fendi®, the Italian luxury fashion design company, with the double “F” logo, was founded in Rome, Italy, in 1925, by Adele and Edoardo Fendi. Originally a leather and custom fur company, Fendi® was taken over by the founders’ five daughters—Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda. The five sisters modernized and diversified the company collections, bringing in the German Designer Karl Lagerfeld, as the company’s Creative Director, in 1965, for a tenure that lasted 54 years. Today, Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi, a third-generation Fendi, granddaughter of the founders, Adele and Edoardo Fendi, heads the company’s creative designs.

Among the many US design patents awarded to Maria Silvia Venturini Fendi, USD844949, titled Shoe, was awarded on April 9, 2019. This patented shoe was initially marketed as the Fendi® Sock Ankle Boot, made of knitted fabric, that molds the wearer’s feet and ankles.

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]]. 

Included below, Figure 2, extracted from the patent, together with two marketed models of the Fendi® Sock Ankle Boot. 

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