Substantive Examination of a Utility Model

At the request of the holder of the utility model, the Office shall conduct the procedure of substantive examination of the subject matter of protection of the utility model, provided that the procedural charges of preparing the report search of the state of the art and the procedure of substantive examination have been paid.

The request may be submitted no later than the end of the seventh year of use of the utility model and may not be withdrawn.

In the event that the invention fulfills the prescribed requirements, the Office issues a decision on the grant of a patent, and when it does not meet, the Office declares the utility model null and void ex officio.