Filing a design patent: high level...

I understand that actually defending your rights as well as prosecuting the application through to fruition or rejection is very very costly. But...

Filing a provisional application is dirt cheap and gets you that coveted "patent pending" claim for 12 months, which can scare off competition when you are most vulnerable.

I have done this before, but did indeed follow through with a full 100+ claim patent application. But, not with a design patent. I was hoping someone had some experience with the process, that's all, which is why I chose image design topic areas.

"image design"?  'images' are items that are published which makes them subject to copyright, not patent.

true, but there are such things a design patents. I will look elsewhere for more information.

Good luck with your patent — very exciting! Regards, Joe

I wish I could share some of the awesome stuff I am working on, but since it's political, my worst fear is being banned from EE. As a software engineer, I rely on EE to butter my bread ;)

No fair teasing like that. :)

The 'Official' definition of a Design Patent is here:  http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/s1502.html   It has nothing to do with images that are published.

I must have used the wrong term. It's not a design patent. I will find the correct term

Here is the FAQ from the Copyright Office:  http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/