The Estonian Utility Model Law

The Estonian Utility Model Law came into force on 23 May 1994. In general lines this law is quite similar to the Patent Law and only the main differences are pointed out in the present article.

GENERAL

Only a device can serve as a subject of invention according to Utility Model Law.

The law does not prescribe any provisions concerning INVENTIVE STEP. The NOVELTY of the invention is not to be examined.

APPLICATION BASED ON A PENDING PATENT APPLICATION

An application for the registration of utility model can be based on a pending patent application. It cannot be filed later than 10 years from the filing date of the pending patent application. The filing and priority dates of the patent application remain in operation.