Summary from the Federal Register
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently received feedback that previously-issued guidance may unnecessarily limit flexibility for design applicants in the field of computer-generated interfaces and icons. Upon review, the USPTO has decided to update its guidance for determining whether a design claim including a computer-generated electronic image constitutes statutory subject matter. The USPTO is issuing this updated supplemental guidance to provide design patent applicants with more flexibility in choosing how to present a new, original, and ornamental design for a computer- generated interface or icon when filing a design patent application with the USPTO.
Dates
This supplemental guidance for examination of design patent applications related to computer-generated interfaces and icons is effective on March 13, 2026 and applies to all design patent applications or proceedings under Chapter 30, 31 or 32 filed before, on or after March 13, 2026.