INPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
If the disclosure is caused by the designer, the novelty grace period is 12 months from the date of disclosure.
The initial protection is 6 years, which can be extended twice, up to a maximum of 10 years.
- 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: within 3 months from the date of granted of the European invention.
yes. Before the applicant has received a final decision, an application to change the type of invention from a utility model to an invention may be proposed.
yes. Before the applicant receives the final decision, it may be proposed to change the type of invention from invention to utility model.
INPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
20 years
INPI conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. Substantive examination begins automatically, without the need to file a separate request.