- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
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
The initial protection period is 4 years, which can be extended for two consecutive three years, and the maximum protection period is 10 years.
- Grant fee: It will be paid together with the granted announcement fee one month after receiving the granted notice, and the payment will be doubled if it is overdue.
- Annuity: The renewal fee payment period is the corresponding date of the application date in the year, and can be paid within the last year of the current validity period. Payment can still be made within 6 months from the overdue date, subject to a penalty.
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.
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.
A novelty grace period of 6 months is available if:
- The applicant or the original right holder obviously abused the
- Exhibited by the applicant or the original right holder at an official or officially recognized exhibition
Filing Language: Bulgarian
via Paris Convention via Nationalization of PCT Necessary documents:
- Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
Necessary documents:
- Abstract
- Abstract Drawing
- Claim
- Specification
- Drawing
Attachments (if any)
- Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Certificate of Deposit of Microorganisms and its Bulgarian translation
- Certificate of Microbial Survival and its Bulgarian translation
- Power of Attorney
- Priority certificate and its Bulgarian translation
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Application fee payment proof document
- Notification issued by CNIPA notify the applicant the application has passed through the security review
Attachments (if any)
- WIPO Publication
- ISR/IPRP
- Entering the national phase of Bulgaria State 19/28/34/41 amended
- Sequence Listing (PDF format and TXT format)
- Certificate of Deposit of Microorganisms and its Bulgarian translation
- Certificate of Microbial Survival and its Bulgarian translation
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Power of Attorney
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Application fee payment proof document
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
4-6 months
Filing Language: Bulgarian Necessary documents:
- Exterior Design Picture (Six Views)
- A Brief Description
Attachments (if any):
- Power of Attorney
- Certified Priority Document
- Declaration of Ownership/Certification of Employment/Assignment of priority
- Assignment for Patent Right Transfer
- Application fee payment certificate