The timely extension of the term of patents is the best way to protect your innovations

The term of patent

   Invention patent and utility patent differ in terms of validity. In Ukraine, the following terms of validity of patents are established by law:

• the term for an invention patent is 20 years;
• the term for a utility patent is 10 years.

The term of an invention patent (or an utility patent) starts from the filing date of the application and not from the date when the patent is granted to the applicant. Many applicants do not know or forget about this that results in errors when making the payment of fees.

How to extend the term of a patent?

   The term of a patent for invention or utility model can be extended upon payment to the Ukrpatent of a fee determined by the legislation and notification of the Ukrpatent about its payment.

When a patent can be extended?

   An invention or utility patent can be extended annually within 4 months before the end of the current year of the validity of the patent. It is not allowed to extend the validity of the patent before the 4-month period. Moreover, it is not possible to extend the validity of the patent for several years. If a patent is not renewed within the specified 4-month period, validity of the patent is terminated. It is possible to extend the validity of a patent upon a payment of the annual fee increased by 50% within 12 months after the expiration of the established term. Where a fee is not paid within these additional period, the patent for invention or utility is permanently terminated without the possibility of renewal.

When there are a lot of patents

   Our practice shows that patent holders often forget to renew their patents on time. If you have only one patent, it is possible to remember when it should be renewed. But, as a rule, there are several patents and tracking the exact date of renewing of each of them is more complicated. The situation is further complicated in large companies, where the patents are numbered in tens or hundreds. Failure to renew the patent within the established period leads to the termination of validity of the patent and to the additional costs of paying increased fees. Our agency offers services in patent renewal. When you choose us, you can be sure that your patents will be renewed on time and without paying additional fees. Our professionalism is a guarantee of the validity of your patents.