Which is the competent authority for patent applications for inventions in Bulgaria

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

• The applicant authorizes others to use
• manifest misuse by a third party

no

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

The BPO only conducts formality examination of utility model patent applications. The formality examination takes 3 months, and the content of the examination includes whether the applied for utility model patent application belongs to the object of protection, the issue of unity, etc. If the granted conditions are met, the patent is authorized.

no

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).

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

The BPO conducts formality examination of design patent applications.

no