Press Releases > Secretary Gutierrez to Award 500,000th Design Patent

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Ruth Nyblod 571-272-8400 ruth.nyblod@uspto.gov February 9, 2005 #05-10

SECRETARY GUTIERREZ TO AWARD 500,000th DESIGN PATENT Patent to be presented to DaimlerChrysler Corporation for body design of Crossfire Convertible Friday, February 11, 2005 11:00 a.m. Lobby, U.S. Department of Commerce Main Entrance, 14th Street, N.W. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Jon Dudas will award the 500,000th design patent during a ceremony on February 11, 2005, at 11:00 a.m., for DaimlerChrysler Corporation’s Crossfire convertible design. Design patents are granted for new, original, ornamental designs for articles of manufacture. The first design patent was issued in 1842 to George Bruce of New York City for printing types. Design patents provide exclusive rights to their owners for a term of 14 years from the date of issuance. # # #