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Writer's pictureDipika Shaw

Classification of Design Patents

Updated: May 9

Classification of design patents is based on the concept of function or intended use of the industrial design disclosed and claimed in the Design patent. Industrial designs that have the same function are generally collected in the same Design class, even though individual designs may be used in different environments.

For example, patented designs for seating are classified in class D6, Furnishings, even though these designs may be used in the home, workplace, vehicles, etc. Industrial designs of the same function are further classified by specific functional features, distinctive ornamental appearance, or form.


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U.S. Design patents are classified into 33 classes of subject matter:

D1 Edible Products

D2 Apparel and Haberdashery

D3 Travel Goods, Personal Belongings, and Storage or Carrying Articles

D4 Brushware

D5 Textile or Paper Yard Goods; Sheet Material

D6 Furnishings

D7 Equipment for Preparing or Serving Food or Drink Not Elsewhere Specified

D8 Tools and Hardware

D9 Packages and Containers for Goods

D10 Measuring, Testing or Signaling Instruments

D11 Jewelry, Symbolic Insignia, and Ornaments

D12 Transportation

D13 Equipment for Production, Distribution, or Transformation of Energy

D14 Recording, Communication, or Information Retrieval Equipment

D15 Machines Not Elsewhere Specified

D16 Photography and Optical Equipment

D17 Musical Instruments

D18 Printing and Office Machinery

D19 Office Supplies; Artists' and Teachers' Materials

D20 Sales and Advertising Equipment

D21 Games, Toys and Sports Goods

D22 Arms, Pyrotechnics, Hunting and Fishing Equipment

D23 Environmental Heating and Cooling, Fluid Handling and Sanitary Equipment

D24 Medical and Laboratory Equipment

D25 Building Units and Construction Elements

D26 Lighting

D27 Tobacco and Smokers' Supplies

D28 Cosmetic Products and Toilet Articles

D29 Equipment for Safety, Protection and Rescue

D30 Animal Husbandry

D32 Washing, Cleaning or Drying Machines

D34 Material or Article Handling Equipment

D99 Miscellaneous


Each Design class is organized into subclasses to permit efficient searching for specific types of industrial designs.

A subclass is a collection of design patents found in a Design Class, that pertain to a particular function, a specific functional feature, or a distinctive ornamental appearance or form.

For example, the subject matter in class D6, Furnishings, is classified by function into broad subclasses of similar types of furnishings-seating, work surfaces, storage, furniture parts and elements, etc. Because there are so many patented designs for the same general types of furnishings, this subject matter is further classified into subordinate or "indented" subclasses to promote efficient access to specific types of industrial designs.


For more information about Design Classes, please visit

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