Which is the competent authority for utility model applications in Bulgaria?

20 years

The initial protection period is 4 years, which can be extended for two consecutive three years, and the maximum protection period is 10 years.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

• The designer, his legal successor, or a third party arising from the information or activities of the designer or his legal successor
• Third party that harms the interests of the designer

• 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

1 month

Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

• The applicant authorizes others to use
• manifest misuse by a third party

no

The BPO conducts formality examination of design patent applications.

no