The initial protection period is 4 years, which can be extended for two consecutive three years, and the maximum protection period is 10 years.
The BPO conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
- 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
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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.
Filing Language: Bulgarian
via Paris Convention via Nationalization of PCT Necessary documents:
- Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
Necessary documents:
- Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
Attachments (if any)
- Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Certificate of Deposit of Microorganisms and its Bulgarian translation
- Certificate of Microbial Survival and its Bulgarian translation
- Power of Attorney
- Priority certificate and its Bulgarian translation
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Application fee payment proof document
- Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review
Attachments (if any)
- WIPO Publication
- ISR/IPRP
- Entering the national phase of Bulgaria State 19/28/34/41 amended
- Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Certificate of Deposit of Microorganisms and its Bulgarian translation
- Certificate of Microbial Survival and its Bulgarian translation
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Power of Attorney
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Application fee payment proof document
- Grant fee: It must be paid together with the granted announcement fee within one month from the receipt of the granted notice.
- Annuity: pay year by year from the first year of the application date, and should be paid before the last day of the month of the application date at the latest, not exceeding one patent year, and the annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months if it is overdue, and paid at the same time 200% late fee.
A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:
- The applicant authorizes others to use
- manifest misuse by a third party
2-5 years
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