Re: Copying an (expired) patented design

Subject: Re: Re: Copying an (expired) patented design

Comments:
: Be careful - could be under copyright - some types of furniture would qualify for copyright. Could last as long as authors life plus 50 or 70 years, depending on which country you're talking about. : In the US you could check with the Copyright Office. For the civilised world, copyright doesn't require any registration so there isn't anything you could check. : Get a good IP lawyer, don't rely on advice from the Internet. : : I am interested in designing a line of furniture based on a table and chair set that was patented in 1940. I know the patent has expired, but I am wondering if there are any other legal ramifications to using this design. The company that created the design is still in business, but they haven't produced this type of piece, or anything like it, in many years. I don't want to use their name, just the design. Are design patents renewable past 14 years? Is the design now considered to be in the public domain? Could there be a licensing issue? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks! : : Kit Sullivan : : kitsullivan@mac.com

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Do not disclose any details of any patent idea. See a lawyer.
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