Fast track for utility models
At the beginning of April 2023, the Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic introduced a new feature – the fast-track procedure for utility model applications.
This procedure is intended to reduce the average total time that an applicant waits for the grant of this legal protection for his/her patented invention. The time is to be reduced by up to 3 months on average, compared to the current 9 months, a utility model can now be granted in as little as 6 months.
A similar procedure has been introduced by the Office for patents in 2021. The same fast track procedure is already in place for designs and trademarks.
There is no extra fee for the fast-track procedure for utility model applications, however applicant must meet certain legal conditions in order to benefit from fast-track procedure.
If you are interested in a legal advisory on intellectual property matters, including invention, brand or design protection, contact us at any time.
