Also known as ‘petty patents’ or ‘innovation patents’ utility models are a form of intellectual property right that exists in some countries. A utility model provides protection for inventions that are considered to have a lower level of inventiveness or innovation compared to those eligible for patents. Utility models are generally granted for incremental improvements or modifications to existing inventions, rather than entirely new and groundbreaking inventions. (Industrial Property Act, Act No.3 of 2001).
Utility Models