no
OPI conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.
yes. A Benelux design application may contain multiple designs, but not more than 50 designs.
Filing Language: Dutch/French/English Necessary documents:
- Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
Attachments (if any):
- Power of Attorney
- Certified Priority Document
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.
OPI does not conduct substantive examination for utility models (short-term patents). If no search is carried out or search reports from other countries are provided, it will only be protected as a short-term patent.
6 years
4 months
no
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
- 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.