Utility Model Protection Procedure

The protection procedure begins with filing the application for a utility model, and is carried out in accordance with the Patent Act and the Patent Regulations.

If the requirements are fulfilled, the Office accords the filing date and conducts formalities examination of the application.

The utility model can only protect products that are not in the field of biotechnology and that are not chemical or pharmaceutical substances. In addition, inventions whose commercial exploitation would be contrary to public policy or morality cannot be protected.

The application of the utility model is not published, but the registered right is published. No state of the art search is conducted and novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability are not examined.

Utility model lasts for 10 years, counting from the date of filing the application.