Applying for Utility Model

“Small patent” to protect your technical innovations

The difference between a patent and a utility model lies, among other things, in the speed and complexity of their acquisition. A utility model is typically registered within 2-3 months from the filing of the application in the Czech Republic, whereas abroad it takes a little longer. This allows you to start enforcing your rights more quickly.

However, protection provided by a well-drafted utility model is no different from a patent. This is also reflected in the costs.

The Czech IPO does not examine the novelty or innovativeness of solutions, even though these are the conditions for registering a utility model. Meeting these criteria is solely your responsibility; it will be reflected in the quality of the obtained protection. To boost chances that your model withstands objections in the event of a dispute, we recommend conducting a thorough search before drafting it.

Our clients typically opt for the following

Patentability search

20.000-40.000 CZK for a high quality application

Czech utility model application

40.000-100.000 CZK for preparing an application

Registration of a utility model

approx. 2-6 months from filing

Expanding protection abroad

within 12 months from filing (i.e. PCT application)

Official office notice

16 months from filing, you will receive an official opinion on the patentability from the relevant patent office

You’re in the right place

Do you want to strategically protect your innovations?

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Why others trust us

Patentability search

Through a patentability search, we explore the possibilities of protecting your inventions, should you choose to do so.

Application drafting is a dialog

We will never be better in your field than you are. But based on your input, we will craft the application to give you a genuine business advantage.

Representation in the Czech Republic and the EU

We take care of communication and administration related to the patent proceedings; Europe in-house, the rest of the world through trusted local partners.

Asserting your rights

The aim of the IP authorities is to recognize only the strictly necessary scope of protection. Our goal is to obtain the broadest possible scope.

As patent attorneys, we are legally bound to confidentiality.
Your ideas and innovations are safe with us.

How we work

Initial meeting

During the initial consultation, we discuss your ideas, innovations, and plans so that we can choose the most appropriate protection procedure.

Protection assessment

Based on our questionnaire on the technical specifications of your invention and our meeting, we suggest the right type of protection. Depending on your preference, we can conduct a search to assess the chances of obtaining a utility model. The search also contributes to a higher-quality application.

Strategy decision

We agree on the specific steps to create your competitive edge.

Application drafting

We draft the complete application and file it with the patent office after your review. In case we receive an official communication, we send it to you along with our comments. All further steps (e.g. response to the IPO) are taken after your approval.

About utility models

What is the difference between patents and utility models?

Patents and utility models safeguard technical innovations. The difference lies in the speed of obtaining protection, the maximum duration, territory, and the types of innovations eligible for such protection.

A utility model is typically acquired faster than a patent. Compared to a minimum of one year for patent proceedings, you can have a utility model registered in as little as 6 months.

The first drawback might be that a utility model is valid for a maximum of 10 years, whereas a patent can last for 20 years (25 years for pharmaceuticals).

However, the main distinction lies in the limited territory of protection – utility models do not exist in some countries. This also applies to innovations – for example, while a manufacturing process can be patented, you cannot obtain a utility model for it.

Within these differences, both patents and utility models offer the same scope of protection.