Oficina española de Patentes y Marcas

The Utility Model protects inventions of less inventive nature that those protected by Patents. They may be, for example, giving an object a set-up or structure from which some use or practical advantage can be obtained.

The device, instrument or tool protected by a Utility Model is characterised by its "utility" and "practicality" and not for its "aesthetics", as happens in industrial design.

The scope of protection of a Utility Model is similar to that conferred by a Patent.

A Utility Model is protected for a period of ten years from the presentation of the application. An annual fee must be paid in order to maintain the right.

See Law 11/1986 of 20 March, the Patents Act.