Which is the competent authority for utility model applications in Poland?

yes. An invention applicant may propose to change the type of invention from an invention to a utility model during the process of examining the application or within two months from the date of the final decision on the refusal to grant a patent. The utility model application shall be deemed to have been filed from the date of the invention application. A utility model application converted from an invention must fully meet the requirements for utility model documents.

There is a 6-month novelty grace period in Poland if the disclosure is caused by a third party in bad faith. Previously, there was no novelty grace period for patent applications in Polish IP legislation.

If disclosed by the author or his successor, the novelty grace period shall be enjoyed within 12 months after the first disclosure.

4-5 years

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted official fee, announcement fee and the first annual fee (that is, the annual fee for the first to third years) within 3 months after receiving the notification of the granted decision.
• Annuity: The applicant needs to pay the annual fee for the next stage in the sixth year and the eighth year respectively. Overdue annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months. At the same time, 30% of the annual fee of the current year will be paid as a penalty.

2-4 years

The PPO only conducts formality examination of utility model patent applications, only examines novelty and industrial applicability, and does not examine inventive step.

yes

no

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.