What is one of the main characteristics of a Design Patent?

A design patent primarily focuses on the ornamental design of a functional item rather than its utility. The significant characteristic of a design patent is its term of protection, which is set at 14 years from the date of grant, as established by U.S. patent law.

This duration is important as it delineates the period during which the patent holder has exclusive rights to the patented design, preventing others from making, using, or selling the patented design without permission. The 14-year term is specifically tailored for design patents and reflects the shorter nature of protection for aesthetic features compared to the 20 years typically granted to utility patents.

In contrast, the other options contain elements that are not characteristic of design patents: a 15-year patent term does not apply, design patents have limitations on the number of claims typically allowed (usually one claim regarding the design itself), and maintenance fees do not apply to design patents, as they do with utility patents. These distinctions reinforce the unique aspects of design patents and their place within intellectual property law.