A utility model registration covers the shape and/or structure of a device.
A utility-model right is registered without examination and provides protected for ten
(10) years. The owner of a registered utility model must secure a validation through
a technical evaluation prior to exerting his rights.


¡ß Requirement for Utility-model application

Please refer to the "Requirements for Patent Filing". However, submission of drawing is compulsory in case of utility-model application.


¡ß Dual application

After filing a patent application, an applicant can file an utility-model application within the range of the original patent application before he/she receives the notice of allowance. Since a patent application can take between two (2) and three (3) years, an invention can be protected by a utility-model registration. Then the invention will be protected by a more powerful patent as soon as a notice of allowance is issued. However, the patent can not possess two rights (patent and utility-model right) simultaneously, theirfore, either one must be abandoned.

¡ß Utility-model registration publication

A specification regarding a registered utility-model right is published on a Utility-model publication.


¡ß Request of technical evaluation

Anybody can request a technical evaluation for a utility-model application or a registered
utility-model registration. When a request of technical evaluation is made, the examiner
will examine the utility-model application or the registered utility-model.


¡ß Decision of Continuance

When a examiner can not find a reason of refusal for an utility-model application or a registered utility-model registration, he/she decides the utility-model registration be retained.


¡ß Decision of Cancellation


When a examiner found a reason for refusal for a utility-model application or a registered utility-model registration, he/she issues an office action. If the reason of office action is
not settled, he/she will issue cancellation decision to the utility-model. The owner of the utility-model can request a Trial to the Decision of a examiner before Patent tribunal within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the decision in case that he/she received an cancellation decision.