How long does it take for a utility model application to be granted in Bulgaria?

It is protected for 10 years from the date of application, and can be renewed for 3 times, each time for 5 years, with a maximum protection of 25 years.

The initial protection period is 4 years, which can be extended for two consecutive three years, and the maximum protection period is 10 years.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

• The designer, his legal successor, or a third party arising from the information or activities of the designer or his legal successor
• Third party that harms the interests of the designer

• Grant fee: It will be paid together with the granted announcement fee one month after receiving the granted notice, and the payment will be doubled if it is overdue.
• Annuity: The renewal fee payment period is the corresponding date of the application date in the year, and can be paid within the last year of the current validity period. Payment can still be made within 6 months from the overdue date, subject to a penalty.

A novelty grace period of 6 months is available if:

• The applicant or the original right holder obviously abused the
• Exhibited by the applicant or the original right holder at an official or officially recognized exhibition

yes. Designs in the same category, or belonging to the same set or combination of articles, may contain several designs in one design (this condition does not apply when the product containing or attached to the design is an ornament).

yes. For an invention with the same subject matter, the applicant may file a patent type conversion request within 2 months from the date of receiving the patent application decision, but no later than 10 years from the application date, and change the patent type from invention to utility model .

Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.

no