Which is the competent authority for patent applications for inventions in Portugal?

12-14 months

3 months

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."

2-3 years

INPI conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. Substantive examination begins automatically, without the need to file a separate request.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: within 3 months from the date of granted of the European invention.

The initial protection is 6 years, which can be extended twice, up to a maximum of 10 years.

20 years

Portuguese National Institute of Industrial Property

English: Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI)

URL: https://inpi.justica.gov.pt/

Portuguese Utility Model Patent Search: Pesquisa Online - Patentes (justica.gov.pt)

INPI only conducts formality examination of design patent applications.