Ornamental and functional designs are protected by patents, as explained at Design Patent Services: Houston. Artistic creations are also covered.
Even though patenting can be a complex and expensive process, it can be simplified with a little help and knowledge. The first step is to determine whether you need a utility or design patent.
Utility patents cover inventions that have some practical application. It is likely that you would want a utility patent on your invention if it was, for instance, a new and improved method for making ice cream. A Design Patent protects the appearance or shape of something as opposed to its function.
The second thing to do when considering patents for an invention is to decide what type of protection you will seek. There are pros & cons to utility and design patents, respectively.
If you choose to file a utility patent application, it must include diagrams showing how your product works. The only diagrams required when filing a design patent (Need Help with Design Patents?) are those that depict the appearance of the product or its package.
Although it is not always necessary to include extra drawings with design patents, sometimes it would be helpful to include additional pictures that show how your product works and/or its main features.
e.g. If your invention is an electronic device with a few buttons, it could be useful to include a drawing that makes sure no one can figure out what each button does. This could help prevent competitors from using your invention as prior art against you.
Who was issued the first patent?
It was in 1790 that the first invention in the United States was awarded patent registration. The patent was issued to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash for use in fertilizer.
In the United States, there are many types of intellectual property protection suited to different products and works of art. Copyright protects original works such as films and books from being copied, in contrast with patents which cover mechanisms and designs. This includes the text itself but also images in a book or movie. Copyright does not protect the ideas themselves, but instead cover the expression of those ideas.
The actual invention is the only thing protected by a utility patent. A utility patent is not a document that covers how you made the product or any other details of manufacturing.
As for design patents, here’s a resource that will help: Houston patent attorney.