01. Seek Professional Guidance:
Applying for a Utility Model is a complex matter. Seek advice from a qualified IP attorney or agent. Understand the legal requirements and implications of getting a Utility Model. They can help you iron out your specification, as well as conduct a thorough prior art search.
02. Assessment of Conditions:
Check if your invention meets the requirements for Utility Model, including novelty, inventiveness, industrial usability, and subject matter eligibility. Identify any potential obstacles or limitations.
03. Confidentiality Measures:
Keep your invention a secret before filing by taking steps to make sure no one else knows about it. Think about using non-disclosure agreements when talking about your invention with others.
04. Funding and Budgeting:
Plan the budget required for filing fees, legal support, and other expenses to ensure financial readiness. Revisit this aspect regularly during your preparation and application journey.
05. Strategic Decision-Making:
Determine which aspects of your idea are most valuable to protect and assess its market worth. Consider the geographical extent of protection needed, whether it's national, regional, or international.
Use the pre-application checklist linked below or read through the outline here to understand the steps you should take before moving into the application process.
Please note, this checklist is not exhaustive and doesn't replace advice from IP experts.
01. Search Existing Utility Models:
Also known as ‘Prior Art Search’, search widely across various patent and Utility Model databases to ensure your idea is unique by finding similar technologies or inventions.
02. Conduct Market Research:
Research the market to gauge the commercial viability of your invention, identifying competitors and existing solutions. Remember, it's mandatory to commercially exploit your Utility Model, whether through distribution or licensing. Therefore your idea should be viable and applicable to the market.
03. Outline Inventor(s):
Ensure to accurately identify the correct inventors and provide precise ownership details for the application.
04. Documentation and Description:
Utility Model Specifications are the blueprint of your idea. They help examiners understand how it works
a. Keep records and documentation of your creation:
Keep records of how you came up with your idea, including drawings, notes, and any experimental results.
b. Explain your invention:
Clearly and completely explain your idea, including its features, functionality, and any variations. This must be to the point where someone else skilled in the relevant field may replicate it without much difficulty.
c. Provide drawings & diagrams:
Make clear drawings or diagrams that show the main features and how your idea works. Visual aids examiners in understanding your idea.
d. Determine the classification of your idea:
Your idea must fit into a certain category, and in Dubai, we use the International Patent Classification (IPC) from WIPO. This list covers different technology areas, and you can find where your idea fits on WIPO's website.
e. Claims drafting:
Write clear and specific claims that describe the legal limits of your invention.
05. Look Through Application Form:
Look through the forms for your Patent application from the MoEc to learn about what information and documents you need.
Starting the Utility Model application journey means checking what's already out there to make sure your idea is unique. Searching existing Utility Models (also known as a 'Prior Art Search') involves searching patent and Utility Model databases, literature, and other sources to find previous patents, Utility Models publications, and information related to your invention.
Find out more about where and how to search below:
Explore various databases to ensure your search is thorough. Visit the MoEc website as well as the USPTO, WIPO, and other IP offices, commercial databases, science journals, etc.
Consider the regional significance of your idea and check databases that are pertinent to those areas.
Below are links to databases that may be worthwhile to your search:
Here's a complete guide on how to do a thorough and effective search, making sure you navigate through existing inventions accurately:
01. Define Your Invention:
Clearly explain the special parts and features of your invention. Make sure you fully understand what makes it different.
02. Setup Search Strategy:
Setup suitable search strategy including keyword search. Think about different ways to say the same thing. Tools like IPRally can assist you in this task.
03. Refine Your Search:
Refine your search by using filters like publication date, inventor name, or assignee. This makes the results more specific to what you're looking for.
04. Explore Classification Codes:
Learn about classification codes related to your invention. These codes organize inventions by technology, making searches more focused. The International Patent Classification (IPC), established by WIPO, is used in the UAE.
05. Review Citations:
Check the references in the Patents and Utility Models you find to uncover more sources and related inventions. This broadens the scope of your search.
06. Academic Journals and Literature:
Broaden your search beyond Patents and Utility Models (Prior Arts) to include academic journals, articles, and publications in your field. Valuable insights may be discovered outside the usual sources.
07. Monitor Patent Office Updates:
Keep up to date with news from relevant IP offices. Changes in databases or new publications could affect your search.
08. Keep Records:
Keep detailed records of your search, noting the databases you checked, the keywords you used, and any important findings. Being organized is crucial for a thorough search.
Searching for existing inventions (Prior Arts Search) can be a difficult task to undertake. IP Attorneys have training and experience to conduct the search process well. Look through our registered IP Attorneys to find the most suitable one for you.
There are a number of tools available online to help you with this task. IPRally, for example, uses AI to analyze specifications and descriptions to offer you with the appropriate keywords to conduct your search.
The Utility Model application process requires careful attention and following the specific rules from the examination office.
Find a list of all the documents you’ll need to submit with your application below:
Note: Some documents shall be submitted in both Arabic and English. Any missing documents shall be submitted in accordance with the timeline instructed by the MOE through official notification. (generally 90 days from the notification delivery)
Utility Model specification acts as a blueprint for your invention, explaining its details to examiners and, later, to the world.
Writing a specification requires careful attention to detail and thorough documentation illustrating the unique aspects of your idea.
We highly recommend seeking legal guidance at this point in your journey if you haven’t done so already as the document can be difficult to draft accurately.
Find our tips below on drafting a good Patent specification:
Start with a simple title that sums up your idea. Then, give a short description of the field to give context to examiners.
Give a full background to set the stage. Talk about the current problems or challenges in the field and show how your invention solves them. This part shows why your innovation is important.
Give a short summary that lists the main features and benefits of your invention. This part gives a quick overview, helping examiners and readers grasp why your invention is unique right away.
Include clear drawings and pictures to go along with your written description. Visuals help make things clearer and show a visual representation of how your idea works.
Go into details by thoroughly describing your invention. Use clear and precise language to explain how each part works, these include its structure, function and operation. Add diagrams, drawings, or visuals to help make it easier to understand.
Look at different versions and possible changes to your invention. This shows how broad the creativity of your invention.
Outline the definitions of technical terms used in your detailed description.
Claims define the scope of the patent right. Claims must be drafted in a clear and concise manner suitable for the technical field to which the claimed invention belongs in accordance with the claim drafting method stipulated in the implementing regulations.
Sum up your idea in a short abstract, capturing the main idea of your innovation. This gives a quick reference for examiners and potential collaborators.
Finish by summarizing the main features and benefits of your invention. Highlight how it's unique and contributes to the field.
Use a balance of legal and technical words. Being precise is important to make sure your specification stands up to examination.
Make sure your paperwork is thorough, clear, and precise. This is important for protecting your idea effectively and ensuring its long-term success.
Here are a few examples of what a good specifications looks like:
Protection and Security Mobile Solar-Powered Escalator
Film Laminating Machine for Insulation Board Production
Compression-Resistant Environment-Friendly Material
Below you will find the steps, timeframes, and costs involved in applying for a Utility Model. The process is divided into three phases: pre-application, application, and post application.
The time and expenses for each phase may vary depending on the complexity of your idea, the quality of your application, and the level of support you choose.
