This logical complement to the patent would make it possible to increase innovatory activities and, consequently, the competitiveness of European firms in the internal market.
Utility models are registered rights which confer exclusive protection upon technical inventions.
Unlike patents, utility models are granted without a prior search to establish novelty and inventive step. They are, therefore, protection rights which can be obtained more swiftly and cheaply, but which also offer less legal certainty. Utility model protection at present exists only at national level. The Green Paper invites interested parties to comment on the objective in question. The paper first of all explains the reasons why Community action is necessary in the field of utility model protection and subsequently proposes the measures considered appropriate to bring about the harmonization of such protection.