Utility Model Registration represents an alternative, faster, and cheaper way to protect inventions compared to standard patents. Often called a "petty patent," utility model protection in Georgia is available for inventions that meet criteria of novelty and industrial applicability but may lack a high inventive step. This is an ideal option for small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and individual inventors who wish to quickly protect their technical improvements, tools, or devices before entering the market. A utility model grants the owner exclusive rights for 10 years (instead of 20 years for a patent).
Specialists on Legal.ge offer full services for utility model registration:
- Preliminary search and assessment: Analyzing whether your invention meets utility model criteria and is novel.
- Application preparation: Drafting technical descriptions, claims, and drawings in accordance with Sakpatenti requirements.
- Proceedings at Sakpatenti: Filing the application and handling correspondence during the examination process.
- Transformation: Converting a patent application into a utility model application (or vice versa) if strategically justified.
- Rights enforcement: Legal response to infringements of utility model rights.
In practice, utility models are often used to protect mechanical devices, agricultural tools, or household items. For example, if you have improved the design of an existing machine part, a utility model is the best way to protect it. The registration process is simpler because substantive examination for inventive step is not conducted (only for novelty). However, this does not mean protection is weak — a utility model owner has the right to prohibit others from using their invention.
In Georgia, this field is regulated by the "Patent Law." An object of utility model protection can be an invention relating to a product or a process. It is important to know that obtaining both a patent and a utility model for the same invention simultaneously is impossible.
Working with a specialist begins with defining strategy: is it worth applying for a patent, or is a utility model more effective? A lawyer will help you make this decision and ensure your technical innovation is reliably protected from competitors.
Legal.ge is your partner in innovation protection. A utility model is a fast and effective tool for business. Our experts will help you utilize this tool to the maximum.
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