A Utility Model is an exclusive right granted by the government for an innovation/invention, which is either a product or process that offers a new technical solution to a problem. Protection is granted to any new technical solution related to the modification of existing devices, configuration or disposition of elements of some appliance, instrument, handicraft, mechanizations, and products including products of genetic resources, herbal as well as nutritional formulations which have practical use and give new effects.
A product or process that is new and is useful can be protected using this system. Their term of protection is 10 years. Registration for a utility model gives the holder the right to exclude others from exploiting the protected innovation/invention.
Utility Models provide protection for incremental improvements to products and processes and it is very relevant for SMEs.For Example Printing- roller cleaning system, fruit sorting machine, simple bottle cleaning machine, etc.
what to know
- You will need a description of your invention.
- Any prior claims (Proof of registration in any other country) if any.
- One or two drawings of the Utlity Model.
- An abstract (short summary of what the invention is about).