SOS: utility vs design patent strategy

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

I'm in a difficult situation and trying to figure out my next steps.

utility vs design patent strategy. I've been dealing with this for about 6 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

I have already consulted briefly with a lawyer but the other party is not cooperating.

Do I have a strong case? What should my next steps be?

Illustrative response

Quick update on my situation: filed a complaint with the state attorney general's office and got a response within 10 days. They opened an investigation and the company suddenly became very cooperative. Sometimes regulatory pressure works faster than litigation.

Illustrative response

Really appreciate the detailed breakdown in this thread. One additional resource: the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) complaint database is public. You can search for complaints against specific companies to see if others have had similar issues and how they were resolved.