Petty Patents (Simple Patents)

– Same as for “Patents of Invention“.

Membership in International Conventions

– Same as for “Patents of Invention“.

Granting and Protection

Definition: while a patent is granted for a new invention, involving inventive steps, and susceptible to industrial application, a simple patent is granted for a new invention, an improvement from existing product or process, and susceptible to industrial application. 

Publication: publication of the simple patent application is carried out not later than fourteen days as from the filing date of the simple patent application. The publication is carried out for fourteen working days as from the date of publication of the simple patent application. The substantive examination of the simple patent application is conducted after the expiry of the publication period. The Minister is required to decide whether to grant or refuse a simple patent application not later than six months as from the filing date of the simple patent application.

Substantive examination: a request for substantive examination on a simple patent may be submitted together with the filing of the simple patent application and subject to fees, otherwise the simple patent application is deemed to be withdrawn.

Granting: a simple patent is granted for a period of ten years as from the filing date, and is non-extendible.