PATENTS
A patent is granted for inventions that are new, have an inventive step and are industrially applicable. It confers an exclusive right on the patent owner for a period of 20 years from the date of filing the patent application.
A utility model is registered if it is new, industrially applicable and has an acceptable inventive step. The registration grants an exclusive right to the holder for a period of 4 years from the date of submission of the application for a utility model, which can be extended for two consecutive periods of 3 years.
We offer assistance and full service in all matters related to inventions and utility models – from preliminary research and assessment of patentability to obtaining a patent or utility model in the country and abroad, a comprehensive service of the client’s patent portfolio, as well as advice and assistance on the exercise of rights, namely:
Carrying out patent research
We provide relevant patent information that we analyse and on this basis we provide our legal advice and recommendations for your business:
- Research of the state of the art in a given field. The results of this type of research can be used in the creation and development of new products and technologies, as well as for the purposes of preparing a patent application or utility model.
- Preliminary studies to assess the patentability of a specific technical solution. Studies to determine the development trends of an area. The results allow making informed and correct decisions for the management of the client;
- Studies to track the innovative strategy and policies of specific leading or competitor companies. Patent purity studies of a specific technical solution for a given territory. The results show whether it can be used in this territory without violating foreign rights.
Preparation for patent and/or utility model application
Good preparation of the patent documentation is a condition for the success of the procedure for granting a patent and/or registration of a utility model:
- Prototype selection; compiling a patent description, patent claims and an abstract, making drawings, if necessary.
- Preparation of a strategy for territorial protection and selection of a procedure and office for international application/ filing of the prepared documentation for a patent and / or utility model.
Representation, full expert and legal service in the procedures for issuing patents and utility models before the respective patent offices:
- Representation before the Bulgarian Patent Office
- Representation before the European Patent Office
- Representation before the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
Representation, legal and expert advice in patent litigation procedures and utility models
- Representation before administrative bodies
- Representation before judicial authorities
Other patent and / or utility service activities
- Complete maintenance of the client’s patent portfolio.
- Preparation of contracts for transfer or licensing of patents and utility models, as well as contracts for technology transfer and know-how.
- Translations of patent documents.
- Preparation of strategies for protection of new technical solutions at national, regional and international level.
- Preparation of strategies for effective management and protection of the client’s patent portfolio.
- Preparation of expert opinions and conclusions on patentability and scope of protection of a patent or utility model.
- Evaluation of a patent and / or utility model, as intangible assets of the company, as a collateral, object of special pledge and in insolvency proceedings.