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Timestamp: 2019-04-19 15:01:18+00:00

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Application for Design Patent filed February 10, 1989, Serial No. 07/309624. Icon for an Object Adding Function or the Like.
The ornamental design for an Icon for an Object Adding Function or the Like as shown and described.
The examiner concluded that the claimed design was nonstatutory, finding that the design was not an "ornamental design for an article of manufacture...." The examiner sets forth two separate grounds supporting her conclusion. The thrust of her first ground is that the design as claimed is merely a picture or surface ornamentation per se rather than a design applied to an article. The examiner notes that the specification does not describe, claim or show the claimed designs applied to any article of manufacture.
The examiner premised her second ground on the finding that the drawings showed a sequence of unrelated pictures. She construed the language "any new and original design for an article of manufacture" in § 171 as limiting the application to disclosure of a single design.
In response to the examiner's first theory, appellant argues that the design is surface ornamentation for an article of manufacture which article is "the functionally active area of the computer display screen associated with an adding objects to a catalog." (Brief page 7). Appellant also notes that the "two-dimensional surface ornamentation-type design is fully disclosed by a plan view illustration." As to the examiner's second rationale, appellant asserts that the two pictures are analogous to showing a single article of manufacture, a folding table, in open and closed positions.
We find that appellant's claimed design, as disclosed in the application before us, is merely a picture. Appellant's specification does not show or describe the claimed design embodied or applied in any article of manufacture. Only pictures of the icon are shown or described. The claimed subject matter, therefore, does not meet the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 171.
Appellant asserts that the design is surface ornamentation-type design for the functionally active area of a computer display screen showing the design. We have no doubt that the claimed design, like all surface ornamentation-type designs, could be used to ornament a wide variety of articles, including computers. [FN2] However, the phrase "design for an article of manufacture" in § 171 requires more than a depiction of the surface ornamentation alone. It requires disclosure of the ornamentation applied to or embodied in some article of manufacture. More than an applicant's generalized intent to ornament some article is required. It is the application of the design to an article which separates mere pictures from a design protectable by a patent. Without explicit disclosure of an article in the specification, the design is not an applied design contemplated for protection under § 171.
Appellant's specification does not describe or show the design as surface ornamentation for a computer system. As we stated above, appellant's design, as shown and described, is merely a picture which has not been applied to any article.
Appellant also urges reversal because PTO has previously issued design patents to purportedly similar subject matter. We recognize that patents have issued directed to designs referred to as icons. [FN3] However, appellant has not cited any authority which holds that the issuance of a patent has any significant precedential value. In evaluating compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 171, each design application must be evaluated on the record developed in the PTO. See, In re Gyurik, 596 F.2d 1012, 1018 n. 15, 201 USPQ 552, 558 n. 15 (CCPA 1979), and In re Phillips, 315 F.2d 943, 137 USPQ 369 (CCPA 1963). To the extent any error has been made in the rejection or issuance of claims in a particular application, PTO and its examiners are not bound to repeat that error in subsequent applications. Accord, In re Cooper, 254 F.2d 611, 617, 117 USPQ 396, 401 (CCPA), cert. denied 358 U.S. 840 (1958) (Decision in a trademark application in accordance with law is not governed by possibly erroneous past decisions of the Patent Office); In re Zahn, 617 F.2d at 267, 204 USPQ at 995 ("[W]e are not saying the issuance of one patent is a precedent of much moment.") Compliance with § 171 requires analysis of the statute and interpreting case law. Mere reference to possibly contrary decisions of an examiner in other applications, applications which do not even discuss the issue raised, are not helpful in this analysis.
Appellant asserts that the design depends upon computer hardware and software which forms no part of the invention and need not be disclosed. Appellant relies on In re Hruby, 373 F.2d 997, 153 USPQ 61 (CCPA 1967) to support his position. We do not think Hruby helps appellant under the circumstances of this case. In Hruby the court held that water fountains were configuration of goods-type designs eligible for protection under § 171. 373 F.2d at 1001, 153 USPQ at 65. An illustration of a configuration type-design inherently discloses the article of manufacture defined by the shape of the design. The configuration designs in Hruby were inherently applied designs. The designs here admittedly are surface ornamentation-type designs. See, for instance, page 8 of the brief. As we indicated above in order to bring a surface ornamentation-type design within the scope of the statute, it must be disclosed and shown in the specification applied to some article of manufacture. and 37 CFR § 1.152 requires a complete disclosure of the article in the drawings, not just disclosure of the design. Appellant has failed to make such a disclosure or showing. Accordingly, we affirm the examiner's rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 171.
*4 In response to the examiner's second rationale, appellant asserts that it is permissible to claim a first and second configuration for the same article because the appearance for each configuration may be markedly different. Appellant states that the situation is analogous to a folding table in an open and closed position. Under the particular circumstances of this case, we reverse this ground of the examiner's rejection. We think the presence of more than one design in the application is not here fatal under § 171. See In re Rubinfield, 270 F.2d 391, 123 USPQ 210 (CCPA 1959). Where patentably distinct designs are present in a design application, the proper course is to require restriction under 35 U.S.C. § 121. Requiring restriction, when appropriate, is particularly important in design cases because of the single claim requirement. While restriction under 35 U.S.C. § 121 is not mandatory, the presence of patentably distinct designs in a single claim raises a question as to the scope of the claimed subject matter. In view of our affirmance, we will not enter a new ground of rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, but rather call this matter t the examiner's attention in the event of further prosecution in this case or any continuing case. However, we suggest that the preferable course is to require restriction between the patentably distinct designs.
The examiner's decision rejecting the claim under 35 U.S.C. § 171 is affirmed.
The claim is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, as failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter appellant regards as her invention. The phrase "or the like" renders the claim indefinite. It is not apparent from the record of this case what is "like" an object adding function. The specification does not provide any standards for determining other things which may fall within the scope of the claim. See, Seattle Box Co. v. Industrial Crating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 826, 221 USPQ 568, 574 (Fed.Cir.1984) (when words of degree are used in a claim, the specification must provide some standard for measuring the degree). A clear and definite statement of the article is important so that others may determine if the use of the design would directly infringe under 35 U.S.C. § 271 or infringe only under the additional remedy of 35 U.S.C. § 289.
*5 With respect to the new rejection under 37 CFR § 1.196(b), should appellant elect the alternate option under that rule to prosecute further before the Primary Examiner by way of amendment or showing of facts, or both, not previously of record, a shortened statutory period for making such response is hereby set to expire two months from the date of this decision. In the event appellant elects this alternate option, in order to preserve the right to seek review under 35 U.S.C. ss 141 or 145 with respect to the affirmed rejection, the effective date of the affirmance is deferred until conclusion of the prosecution before the examiner unless, as a mere incident to the limited prosecution, the affirmed rejection is overcome.
FN1. Be it known that I, Karen Donoghue, have invented a new, original and ornamental design for an Icon for an Object Adding Function or the Like, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the following drawing forming a part thereof.
Figure 1 is a face view of an icon for an object adding function or the like showing my new design.
Figure 2 is an icon after the open command.

References: § 171
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