Utility Models
Legal Basis
– Industrial Property Act No. 8 of 2010, in force since August 31, 2012.
– Industrial Property Regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2012.
Membership in International Conventions
– See under “Patents of Invention“.
Registration, Protection
Prosecution procedure: same as for “patents“, except does not undergo substantive examination.
Conversion: a patent application may be converted into a utility model application at any time before grant or refusal.
Duration: seven years from grant.
Annuities: same as for “patents“.
Assignments and licenses: same as for “patents“.
Working: same as for “patents“.
Filing requirements: same as for “patents“.