• IP BLAWG

    A Useful Chalk Holder

    Beverly A. Berneman
    2/23/21

    In Brief:  Copyright does not protect “useful articles” and design patents don’t always protect against infringement.

    Sidewalk chalk has been around a long time. Lanard Toys Ltd. designed chalk holders that looked like No. 2 pencils. Lanard sold the chalk holders to distributors and toy store chains like Toys R Us.  Lanard sought and obtained both a registered copyright and a design patent.

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