OPI conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.
6 years
no
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
4 months
OPI does not conduct substantive examination for utility models (short-term patents). If no search is carried out or search reports from other countries are provided, it will only be protected as a short-term patent.
no
6-18 months
yes. A Benelux design application may contain multiple designs, but not more than 50 designs.
The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.
6 months before the filing date/priority date.