The BPO conducts formality examination of design patent applications.
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.
A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:
- The applicant authorizes others to use
- manifest misuse by a third party
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.
- 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
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).
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
1 month
Bulgarian Patent and Trademark Office
English: Bulgarian Patent Office, abbreviation: BPO
Website: Патентното ведомство на Република България (bpo.bg)
Bulgarian Utility Model Patent Search: BPO Online - portal.bpo.bg
no
2-5 years