In 2009, Cisco Systems acquired the technology company that pioneered the original “Flip Video” cameras. Cisco turned to Patterson + Sheridan to protect the ornamental appearance of the point-and-shoot video cameras, which were tremendously successful due to their unique design.

We implemented an aggressive design patent strategy to cover various novel aspects of the camera’s ornamental design. As shown in the images to the right, we obtained multiple design patents covering various combinations of the cameras’ ornamental aspects.

Cisco successfully used the “Flip Video” camera design patent portfolio to file and eventually settle a suit alleging infringement of its design patents. This is described in a 2010 Law360 article (whose link is below).