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Protectability

Factory worker inspecting a device

What can be protected by a utility model?

All technical inventions can be protected by a utility model as they can be by a patent. This also includes chemical substances, foodstuffs and medicinal products.

Protection is not available for:

  • discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods
  • aesthetic creations
  • schemes, rules and methods for performing mental acts, playing games or doing business
  • presentations of information
  • programs for computers
  • blueprints, patterns, teaching methods
  • biotechnological inventions
  • animal and plant varieties

Eligible for patent protection but explicitly excluded from utility model protection are:

  • processes (manufacturing and working processes)

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Last updated: 20 October 2020