I. Protection of inventions in Ukraine
Under “Law of Ukraine on the Protection of Rights in Inventions and Utility Models” the invention is considered to be a product of human’s intellectual activity in a filed of technology.
The following subject matters of an invention shall be patentable:
- product (apparatus, substance, strain of microorganism, cell culture of plant or animal);
- process (method);
- use of a known product or process for new purpose
The following subject matters of an invention shall not be patentable:
- plant varieties and animal breeds
- inherent natural biological processes of reproducing of plants and animals, which process has no relation to non-biological and microbiological processes;
- an integrated microcircuit topography;
- styling designs;
- computer programs.
The invention meets the requirements of patentability if it is new, involves an inventive step and has industrial applicability.
A patent for invention shall be valid for 20 years from the date of filing with the Patent Office of Ukraine or from the international filing date (PCT filing).
II. National filing a patent application in Ukraine
1. Information and documents required for accomplishing National Filing of patent application:
a) The application materials (description, claims, abstract, drawings);
b) Filing particulars, namely:
a. name, country of incorporation and address of the Applicant(s);
b. name, country of residence of the inventor(s);
c) Power of Attorney signed by authorized person on behalf of Applicant (POA does not need notarization or legalization)
d) Certified copy of the priority application (when claiming priority according to Paris Convention).
2. Information regarding the filing requirements:
a) Translation of the application materials into Ukrainian shall be filed within 2 (two) months from the date of filing;
b) Official filing fee shall be paid within 2 (two) months from the date of filing;
c) Certified copy of the priority application shall be filed within 3 (three) months from the date of filing (when claiming priority according to Paris Convention).
d) Power of Attorney can be filed when filing patent application or later on the formal examination stage;
e) Request for examination shall be filed within 3 years from the date of filing. When filing examination request it is necessary to pay the examination fee for each independent claim.
f) Granting fees shall be paid within 3 (three) months from the date of Granting Decision receipt.
1. For entering national phase of PCT application we need the following documents:
a) A number of the PCT application;
b) Power of Attorney signed by authorized person on behalf of Applicant (POA does not need notarization or legalization).
2. Filing requirements:
a) Translation of the application materials into Ukrainian shall be filed before expiry of 31 months term from the priority;
b) Official filing fee shall be paid before expiry of 31 months term from the priority;
c) Power of Attorney can be filed when filing patent application or later on the formal examination stage;
d) Request for examination shall be filed within 3 years from the date of filing. When filing examination request it is necessary to pay the examination fee each independent claim.
e) Granting fee shall be paid within 3 (three) months from the date of Granting Decision receipt.
1. Any Declarations or Assignments between inventor(s) and applicant(s) shall be filed if necessary or upon request. Generally these documents shall be available by request. Any forms signed by the inventors, except Declaration mentioned above are not required for accomplishing either National or PCT filings.
2. According to applicable Ukrainian patent regulations a single General Power of Attorney could be used for all patent application filed in the name of one applicant.
3. The terms of entering national phase of PCT application and official filing fee payment as well as filing translation into Ukrainian can be extended but no more than for 2 months.
4. The missed term of entering national phase of PCT application can be renewed in case of reasonable excuse.
V. Forms (documents) required for National Filing of patent application in Ukraine:
- The application materials (description, claims, abstract, drawings);
- Filing particulars, namely:
- name, country of incorporation and address of the Applicant(s);
- name, country of residence of the inventor(s);
- Power of Attorney signed by authorized person on behalf of Applicant;
- Certified copy of the priority application (when claiming priority according to Paris Convention).
VI. Forms (documents) required for entering national phase of PCT application in Ukraine:
- A number of the PCT application;
- Power of Attorney signed by authorized person on behalf of Applicant.