Patent Application Encyclopedia

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date

Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" accepted.

DPDT conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. The substantive examination starts automatically, and the applicant does not need to file a separate request for substantive examination. If the conditions for patent granted are met, the patent application will enter the public stage. If there is no objection within 4 months after publication, the patent application will be authorized.

5-8 years

15 years

• Licensing Fee: None.
• Annual Fee: A renewal fee is payable every 5 years. The payment of the annual fee can be postponed within a grace period of 6 months after the due date at the latest, but a 50% late fee will be charged at the same time.

Yes, during the formality examination period within 90 days from the filing date, the type of invention can be converted into a utility model at the request of the applicant by paying the corresponding fee.

Bulgarian Patent and Trademark Office

English: Bulgarian Patent Office, abbreviation: BPO

Website: Патентното ведомство на Република България (bpo.bg)

Bulgarian Utility Model Patent Search: BPO Online - portal.bpo.bg

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

IPVN conducts formality examination and substantive examination of utility model patents. IPVN has no restrictions on the fields of utility model patent applications. Utility models can be applied for in all fields covered by inventions, but all utility models will undergo substantive examination. A patent applicant/anyone needs to file a substantive request no later than 36 months from the filing date.

2-3 years

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: pay year by year from the third year from the application date, and the payment deadline for the annual fee is the end of the month corresponding to the application date. If the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within a grace period of 6 months, and a late fee of 20.00 Euros should be paid at the same time.

20 years, and the validity period of patents for pharmaceutical inventions and pesticide inventions can be extended to 25 years upon application.

yes

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

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."

3-5 years

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: payable year by year starting from the 6th year from the date of application