Whats the difference between a patent and a utility model?
A utility model is similar to a patent in protecting the creation of a technical idea, and most regulations that govern patents also apply to utility models. Utility models, however, are intended for inventions that lack the required level of patentability. Products and methods can be patented but only products can be granted a utility model right. A patent registration lasts 20 years from the application date, and patent rights are effective from the moment of registration. However, the protection period of a utility model is 10 years from the application date. The application and examination procedures of a utility model differ from patent procedures in the following ways: – Because a utility model can be registered without being examined by an examiner, you need to obtain a technical evaluation of the invention before you can use the utility model right. – The validity of a utility model right is based on the technical evaluation. – When filing a utility model application, you shoul
