How do I know if my new software concept requires a utility patent or if a design patent is enough to protect it from competitors?
Download run
Fan-out diagram
The searches the AI actually ran for this prompt.
SEED QUERY
How do I know if my new software concept requires a utility patent or if a design patent is enough to protect it from competitors?
1 real search · 1 real-search pass
USPTO software patents utility patent design patent graphical user interface patent eligibility official guidanceGoogle ↗
OBSERVEDReason
Badge and edge weight = share of passes that produced the query. Hover a query for its intent and routing format.
Query classes
Google's semantic query class for every sub-query: what kind of answer each search is after, simulated vs real.
ChatGPT real searches (1)
Classes come from the query-classifier (a local Laya model). 1 of 1 calls are low-confidence (under 50%) — hover a query in the table to see its confidence.
Searches and sources
ChatGPT1 real searches · gpt-6
USPTO software patents utility patent design patent graphical user interface patent eligibility official guidance Google ↗
- Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 49 (Friday, March 13, 2026) · govinfo.gov
- Design patent application guide · uspto.gov