UTILITY MODEL

In Italy, in addition to a patent for invention, a utitlity model patent can also be filed.
The utility model protects only the new functional form of an existing product and does not protect new procedures or use, which fall within patents for invention, and is used for the protection of inventions having a lesser originality.
The utility model must have an absolute novelty and any prior disclosure to the submission of the application, or date of priority, may nullify the model.
In Italy, the UIBM only carries out a formal examination and there is no opposition procedure.
Utility models have a maximum duration of 10 years and the payment of a maintenance fee is required from the fifth year of life.