Japanese Patent Attorney Fumimaru Yuguchi Shounan-lab.

What is a utility model

"To put it plainly, it's a patent that can be obtained without examination." → It's a great!

The patent right is an exclusive right, but if you register a utility model right, you can get the exclusive right without examination, just like a patent. However, life is not that easy.

• An evaluation report prepared by an examiner of the Patent Office is required to exercise the right.
• Liability for damages if registration becomes invalid after exercising rights
• Chemical substances, software, etc. are not covered
• Duration is shorter than patent

Due to these many disadvantages (especially the liability for damages is large), the number of applications for registration of utility models is not very large. If you want utility model rights, you need to devise a combination with design patent.