Gebrauchsmuster Totally Explained

Everything about Gebrauchsmuster totally explained

In German and Austrian patent laws, the Gebrauchsmuster (GebrM), also known as German utility model or Austrian utility model, is a patent-like, intellectual property right protecting inventions. The Gebrauchsmuster is slightly different from the patent. It mainly differs from the patent in that processes and methods can't be protected by a Gebrauchsmuster, only products can. Furthermore, the term of a Gebrauchsmuster, that's its maximal life time, is 10 years from the date of registration. In contrast, a patent has usually a term of 20 years from the date of filing of the application.

Germany

The German utility model has some interesting characteristics, when compared to the German patent or to the European patent designating Germany:

Prior art considered for examining novelty and inventive step is somewhat more limited:
- Oral disclosures are not taken into account, only written disclosures are taken into account;
- Public prior use outside Germany isn't taken into account;
- A six-month grace period before the priority date is provided for written disclosures or prior public use made by applicants or their predecessors in title.
They are not substantially examined. Only registration is sufficient to obtain a utility model.

German utility models are however made available to the public directly when they're registered (Eintragungstag), for example before the publication date (Bekanntmachung). In contrast, patents are made available to the public 18 months after the filing date, unless the applicant requests early publication.
The German Gebrauchsmuster is regulated by German Gebrauchsmuster Act (in German: Gebrauchsmustergesetz) and German Gebrauchsmuster Ordinance (in German: Verordnung zur Ausführung des Gebrauchsmustergesetzes).

Austria

The Austrian utility model is similar to the German utility model. The main differences are:

A search report is carried out within 6 to 8 months. No additional searching fee is required.

The range of protection is broader than the German utility model. There is additional protection for:

Logic algorithm for computer software
Processes
Therapy methods for animals

Further Information

Get more info on 'Gebrauchsmuster'.

External Link Exchanges

Do you know how hard it is to get a link from a large encyclopaedia? Well we're different and will prove it. To get a link from us just add the following HTML to your site on a relevant page:

<a href="http://gebrauchsmuster.totallyexplained.com">Gebrauchsmuster Totally Explained</a>

Then simply click through this link from your web page. Our crawlers will verify your link, extract the title of your web page and instantly add a link back to it. If you like you can remove the words Totally Explained and embed the link in article text.
As long as your link remains in place, we'll keep our link to you right here. Please play fair - our crawlers are watching. Your site must be closely related to this one's topic. Any kind of spamming, dubious practises or removing the link will result in your link from us being dropped and, potentially, your whole site being banned.