Utility model

Definition
A utility model is

"a registered right which confers on its proprietor exclusive protection for an invention, in a similar manner to a patent."

Overview
"Many developed countries, and several developing ones, have some form of utility model system in addition to their patent system, but the precise forms of these systems vary widely. In general, as with a patent, to be protected by a utility model, an invention must be new, involve an inventive step, and lend itself to industrial application. The level of inventiveness required, however, is generally lower than that for a patent. In addition utility models may be granted without prior examination to establish that these conditions have been met." }}