Legal Definitions - Vessel Hull Design Protection Act

The Vessel Hull Design Protection Act is a law that provides protection for original designs of boat hulls. This law is part of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and is also known as Title V.

The law was created to replace a state law that was struck down by the Supreme Court in a case called Bonito Boats, Inc. v. Thunder Craft Boats, Inc. This means that the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act is now the main law that protects boat hull designs.

Under this law, boat hull designs are considered a type of "useful article" that can be protected. This means that if someone creates an original design for a boat hull, they can apply for protection under this law.

For example, if a boat designer creates a unique and original hull design for a new type of boat, they can apply for protection under the Vessel Hull Design Protection Act. This would prevent other people from copying their design without permission.