TECH - Here come the design patents: new law boosts rights in shapes, designs

One of Apple's key weapons in its legal battle against competitors is a special type of patent that protects the visual appearance of a product. Critics have denounced these patents as a way to own "rounded rectangles" but we may have to get used to seeing a lot more of them. Last week, President Obama signed a law that will increase the term and scope of so-called "design patents." The law could offer US designers a new way to fight knock-offs - ...

http://gigaom.com/2012/12/27/here-come-the-design-patents-new-law-boos