Amendments to the Regulation for Registration of Industrial Designs
Recent amendments to the Regulation on the Drafting, Filing and Examination of Applications for the Registration of Industrial Designs have been adopted by the Bulgarian Government.
The new texts follow the amendments to the Law on Industrial Designs, which came in force on February, 12th, 2011. The same provides for examination only on absolute grounds, more specifically examining only the appearance of the product or a part thereof, defined by the peculiarities of its shape, outlines, ornaments and color representation, as well as to defining whether the product is contrary to the public policy or the principles of morality.
In view of the aforesaid, there is no longer publication of industrial design applications prior to examination thereof. Amendments have been made also with regard to the regulations concerning the procedure for total and partial refusal of registrations for industrial designs. , aimed to facilitate the applicant in his/her decision regarding the scope of legal protection sought for the application.
Another change is related to the shortening of the terms for payment of fees, as well as of those for correction of defects concerning the application and filing of a reply to provisional refusals, the purpose being the faster execution of the registration procedure.
There are also provisions introducing the implementation of a new proceeding concerning the delayed publication of a registered industrial design.
