Are design patents the Jan Brady of intellectual property?

[GRS Research]

Design patents might have been called the “Jan Brady” of intellectual property; the awkward, middle child always overshadowed by her more popular, older sister, “Utility, Utility, Utility!” But after some good press, Google’s homepage design patent, and some good rulings, Egyptian Goddess v. Torkiya, design patents are starting to shine on their own and demonstrate their place in a mature, well conceived IP strategy.
From Best Mode http://www.gilmanresearch.com/bestmode/?p=416