INPI conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. Substantive examination begins automatically, without the need to file a separate request.
Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property
English: Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI)
URL: https://inpi.justica.gov.pt/
Portuguese Utility Model Patent Search: Pesquisa Online - Patentes (justica.gov.pt)
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.
INPI only conducts formality examination of utility model patent applications. Substantive examination may only be requested if the applicant deems it necessary. An invention protected by a patent can be protected simultaneously or successively with a utility model. To this end, applicants have a maximum of 1 year to make changes.
2-3 years
- yes. A maximum of 100 designs may be included in one Portuguese design application, provided they belong to the same class in the International Design Classification.
A novelty grace period of 6 months is available if:
- Disclosures caused at officially organized or officially sanctioned international exhibitions
- Disclosure resulting from being made public for reasons related to the misuse of the inventor or its predecessor owner
12-14 months
25 years
- Licensing Fee: None.
- Annuity: pay once every 5 years, and must be paid within 6 months before the due date of the application. If the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within a grace period of 6 months, and a 50% penalty is required.