Utility Models
At DIAZ FRANCO IP, we help protect novel configurations applied to tools, devices, mechanisms, and other products through the preparation and prosecution of utility model applications before the Patent Office.
What Can Be Protected
Types of products that can be protected by utility models
We structure applications to protect new arrangements, configurations, or structures of objects that provide an improved function or a technical effect not previously achieved, including:
Tools and Utensils
Ergonomic or structural modifications to manual or mechanical equipment that optimize operational or manufacturing tasks.
Devices and Mechanisms
Improvements to hardware components, household appliances, or articulated parts that enhance durability, assembly, or performance.
Parts and
Accessories
New geometric configurations of gears, valves, supports, or connectors that address common problems or improve efficiency.
Modifications
to Objects
Modular structures, fastening systems, or material profiles that facilitate assembly or improve mechanical strength.
Utility models are designed to protect technical improvements to existing products, tools, devices, or mechanisms, provided they meet the requirements established by applicable law.
If you have developed a functional improvement and would like to explore the available protection options, I can assess your innovation and help determine the most appropriate strategy.
I will assess your case individually to identify the protection option best suited to your innovation.
The value of a utility model
Many innovations arise from functional improvements to existing products. A utility model can protect these developments, recognizing the value of technical solutions that provide practical advantages in its use, manufacture, or operation.
Utility Models
Patentability process
01
Preliminary Assessment
We analyze the prior art to determine whether the proposed improvement or modification may be eligible for protection.
02
Patent
Drafting
Preparation of the technical description of the proposed solution, highlighting its features and functional advantages, together with claims defining the scope of protection.
03
Filing and
Follow-Up
Filing the application before the Patent Office and monitoring the proceedings, while responding to requirements that may arise during the process.
04
Management and
Monitoring
Monitoring and management of maintenance fees to help prevent the utility model patent from lapsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about utility models
Many innovations consist of practical improvements to existing products, tools, or mechanisms.
In these cases, a utility model may be an appropriate way to protect innovations that provide functional or technical advantages.
This section answers frequently asked questions about utility models, their protection requirements, the registration process, and how they differ from other forms of industrial property.
What is the difference between a utility model and an patent?
Both protect inventions, but they are intended for different types of innovations. Patents are generally used to protect inventions that represent a new technical solution involving an inventive step, while utility models are designed to protect improvements or adaptations that provide functional advantages to existing products or mechanisms and are subject to the applicable legal requirements, including novelty.
Another important difference is the term of protection. In Colombia, patents have a term of 20 years, while utility models have a term of 10 years.
Can I apply for a utility model if my product is already on the market?
Disclosing or commercializing an innovation before filing an application may affect the possibility of obtaining protection. It is therefore advisable to assess the available protection options before launching a product or sharing technical information with third parties.
Learn more about patents of invention and industrial designs, or contact us for a comprehensive consultation.
What requirements are assessed for a utility model?
In general, a utility model must meet requirements such as novelty and industrial applicability. This means that the technical improvement must not have been previously disclosed and must be capable of being manufactured or used in an industrial application.
The assessment depends on the specific characteristics of each innovation, so each case should be evaluated individually.
Can chemical processes or active ingredients be protected through a utility model?
No. Utility models are primarily intended to protect technical improvements applied to objects, tools, devices, mechanisms, or parts thereof, subject to the applicable legal requirements.
Other innovations, such as processes, methods, or innovations of a different nature, may require other forms of industrial property protection, such as patents.
Why is the utility model process considered faster and more cost-effective?
Utility models are designed to protect technical improvements applied to existing products or mechanisms.
In many cases, obtaining protection may be simpler and take less time than obtaining an patents, depending on the characteristics of the innovation and the applicable procedures.
For this reason, utility models can be an attractive option for protecting functional improvements and obtaining appropriate protection for innovations of lower technical complexity.
