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.
1 month
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
The BPO conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
- Grant fee: It will be paid together with the granted announcement fee one month after receiving the granted notice, and the payment will be doubled if it is overdue.
- Annuity: The renewal fee payment period is the corresponding date of the application date in the year, and can be paid within the last year of the current validity period. Payment can still be made within 6 months from the overdue date, subject to a penalty.
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- The way of the Hague Agreement: The Hague Agreement will automatically take effect in Bulgaria after 6 months from the registration of the Hague Agreement.
- EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:
- The applicant authorizes others to use
- manifest misuse by a third party
It is protected for 10 years from the date of application, and can be renewed for 3 times, each time for 5 years, with a maximum protection of 25 years.
20 years
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
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