Which legal protection is MOST effective for safeguarding a fashion brand's unique silhouette design?

Design patents are the MOST effective legal protection for safeguarding a fashion brand's unique silhouette design. A design patent protects the ornamental appearance of an article of manufacture. Unlike utility patents, which protect the functional aspects of an invention, design patents protect how something looks. In the context of fashion, this means the unique visual features of a garment's silhouette can be legally protected, preventing others from producing and selling items with substantially similar designs. For example, if a designer creates a distinctive dress silhouette with a unique neckline and A-line shape, a design patent can prevent competitors from copying that specific look. While copyright protection might apply to original artwork or fabric patterns, it generally does not extend to the shape or silhouette of clothing. Trademarks protect brand names and logos, not the visual design of the product itself. Obtaining a design patent requires demonstrating that the silhouette is new, original, and non-obvious. Design patents offer a limited term of protection, currently 15 years from the date of grant in the United States, but during that time, they provide a powerful tool for preventing infringement and maintaining exclusivity of a unique design.