: Examples include clothing, furniture, machinery, and dinnerware.
: The mechanical parts of a machine, the basic cut of a dress, or the standard shape of a fork. Copyright Office or the Ninth Circuit Jury Instructions
For more specific guidance, you can refer to the U.S. Copyright Office or the Ninth Circuit Jury Instructions on functional elements. Distinguishing Examples In copyright law
: Carvings on a chair back, original patterns on fabric, or a sculpture used as a lamp base. v. Varsity Brands
: In Star Athletica, L.L.C. v. Varsity Brands, Inc. , the Supreme Court clarified that artistic designs incorporated into useful articles (like cheerleading uniforms) are protectable if they can be perceived as two- or three-dimensional works of art separate from the article itself. Distinguishing Examples
In copyright law, a is an object with an intrinsic utilitarian function that goes beyond merely conveying information or portraying an appearance. Key Legal Definitions