Which is the competent authority for utility model applications in Bulgaria?

Bulgarian Patent Office

English: Bulgarian Patent Office, abbreviation: BPO

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

Bulgarian invention patent search: BPO Online - portal.bpo.bg

no

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

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant

no

no

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 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.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

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