Utility Models

– 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“.