APPLIED-ART DOCTRINE

applied-art doctrine.Copyright. The rule that a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work that has

an  inherent  use  apart from  its  appearance,  and  is also  an  expressive  work  apart from  its  utility,

may qualify for copyright protection. • Examples have included bookends, lamps, and sundials. In

contrast to applied art, industrial designs are not copyrightable, although they may be protected by

design patents instead. — Also termed useful-article doctrine. [Cases: Copyrights and Intellectual

Property    4.C.J.S. Copyrights and Intellectual Property §§ 9–10, 16.] [Blacks Law 8th]