The main characteristics of a utility model as could be protected are:
There is no requirement of an “inventive step” (non-obviousness).
The maximum duration of protection: 10 years.
It is necessary to provide drawings with the application.
In most countries the filing fee is the same as in case of a patent, though the renewal fees are paid at different frequency in comparison with patents: the total costs of maintaining protection are much cheaper.
A utility model must be a physical definite object characterized by technical characteristics, having a defined three-dimensional shape; a utility model can also be a set of detached elements.
A process or a method cannot be protected by a utility model
