The RVO conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
1-2 years
4 months
The novelty grace period is 6 months from the filing date/priority date.
- Licensing Fee: None.
- Annuity: After the patent is granted, the annual fee shall be paid year by year starting from the fourth year of the application date. The annual fee can be postponed and paid within 6 months after the expiration date at the latest, but a 50% penalty must be paid at the same time.
Design: 5 years, renewable 4 times, 5 years each time, up to 25 years of protection.
- A Benelux design application may contain multiple designs, but not more than 50 designs.
20 years, and the protection of pesticide or pharmaceutical patents can be extended to 25 years.
The RVO conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.