The RVO conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.
The RVO does not conduct substantive examination of invention patent applications. The applicant must submit a novelty search request at the same time as the application, or within 13 months from the date of application, and will receive a search report containing written opinions on novelty within 9 months from the date of the search request. , at which point the applicant has 2 months to make amendments or file a divisional case. The search results do not affect the granting of the patent.
- A Benelux design application may contain multiple designs, but not more than 50 designs.
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
1-2 years
yes
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
no
The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.
Design: 5 years, renewable 4 times, 5 years each time, up to 25 years of protection.
4 months