35 U.S.C. § 389 — Examination of international design application

(a) In General: The Director must examine an international design application that names the United States, following this title's rules. (b) Applicability of Chapter 16: Every substantive question about an international design application naming the United States is decided the same way as for applications filed under chapter 16. Procedural questions are too, unless the treaty and its Regulations require something different. (c) Fees: The Director can set fees for filing international design applications, for naming the United States, and for any other processing, service, or material related to these applications. The Director can also allow fees to be paid later, including extra charges for paying late. (d) Issuance of Patent: The Director can issue a patent based on an international design application that names the United States, following this title's rules. That patent has the same legal force and effect as a patent issued from a chapter 16 application.