One cant patent design, only functionality. Thats why theres so much branding in the fashion industry

There are three kinds of patents: utility, design and patent [1]. For example, the Apple Samsung lawsuit was over a design patent [2]. Design patents are good for 14 year.

[1] https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/patents/types-o...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc._v._Samsung_Electron....