Utility Model Law

We dealt with all utility model rights on a national and international level.

The utility model is an unexamined property right. Novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability are not examined in the registration procedure. This makes utility model protection easier, faster and cheaper to obtain than patent protection.

In contrast to patent law, procedures cannot be protected by utility models in Germany (unlike in Austria).

Utility models are initially protected for three years. In most countries it can be extended to a maximum of ten years.