– Law No. 17.164 of September 2, 1999 on Invention Patents, Utility Models and Industrial Designs.
– Regulations under the Patent Law, Decree No. 11/000 of January 13, 2000.

See under “Patents of Invention“.

Definition: any new disposition or form obtained or introduced in tools, working instruments, utensils, devices, equipment or other known objects, which gives a better utilization, or a better result of the functions for which they were intended.

Applicant: inventor or his legal successor.

Priorities: six-month term in accordance with Paris Convention.

Novelty: the object of the application must be unknown, unpublished and unworked with the exception stated in Art. 9 of the Patent Law mentioned under Patents "Novelty", both in Uruguay and abroad. Absolute novelty and it is requested a minimum inventive activity.

Not patentable: (a) changes or modifications of form, dimensions, proportions, or materials in respect to previously patented or known objects, providing such changes do not modify the quality or function of the objects, producing a better result or use in its functions; (b) the simple substitution of elements in a known combination for other known elements of equivalent function, and which do not result in a better utilization or result in their functions; (c) those contrary to public order or good morals.

Filing requirements: see under Patents – “Filing requirements“.

Examination: as to form, novelty, minimum of inventive step and industrial applicability. Object should be unpublished, unknown and unworked in Uruguay and abroad.

Publication: in the Industrial Property Bulletin. This is to allow third parties to file oppositions. Official action will be issued to the applicants of any opposition, or any observation made by the Examiners.

Opposition: may be filed within sixty days as of the publication date.

Duration – extension: ten years, counted from the date of filing, renewable for another five years.

Annuities: see under “Designs and Models“.

Refusal of protection after granting: see under “Patents of Invention“.