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There are 'design patents' available, however they are generally considered of pretty iffy value. It does not take much for the other guy to circumvent a particular design and achieve the same results. If, however, your design has, for example, a feature that is required to achieve a desired result with the product, you stand a better chance to succeed. You may be able to apply for a utility patent in this case. If you go this route, the right first step is probably to thoroughly scour the internet and any other resources at your displosal to see if anyone has done anything similar or the same before you. A good place to start is a patent search site such as www.freepatentsonline.com. Most of the time you will find someone has already come up with the same or similar ideas. Remember, in broad terms, a patent does not give you the right to produce something. It gives you the right to stop others from producing it. If this is what you are after, and you perform a thorough search for your idea without finding anything similar, post again for more guidance. If you can afford it, consulting a patent attorney at that time is probably the best thing to do.
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