Utility Models

Definition: a utility model must be new and industrially applicable.

Protection: is obtainable for models capable of being more effective, or improve its ease of application, or use for machines or parts of machines, for instruments or utensils, when they have special forms, arrangements or combination of elements.

Not protectable: methods.

Novelty: as for “patents of invention“.

Duration of the protection: ten years from the filing date.

Transformation: a patent application for invention can be transformed into an application for a utility model.

Examination, maintenance, infringement: same provisions as for “patents of invention“.