Contracting Party of the Paris Convention: YES.
Contracting Party of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): NO.
Patent Law in force:
Patent Law of 1955
Types of protection available:
Patent of Invention
First filing requirements with the local Patent Office for inventions made by nationals:
NO
Formal filing requirements:
- Power of Attorney duly notarised and legalised within 30 days from office action. Extension of term available.
- Assignment document from the inventors duly notarised and legalised within 30 days from office action. Extension of term available.
- Certified copy of priority application within 30 days from office action. The translation of the priority application must be signed by a local sworn translator. Extension of term available.
- Sequence listings must be filed in WIPO Standard ST.26 format.
Filing of the patent application in a foreign language:
NOT possible.
Substantive examination must be requested by the applicant:
NO
Search report must be requested by the applicant:
NO
Observations by third parties:
YES, within 30 days from publication
Opposition:
YES, within 30 days from publication
Average time from filing to grant:
10-12 years
Term of protection for patents:
10 years from grant date.
Term of protection for utility models:
10 years from grant date.
Differences between utility model and patent:
Directed to the improvement of a protected invention.
Maintenance:
Yearly after grant.
Marking of the product with the application/ patent number:
NOT mandatory.
Compulsory licensing:
Yes.
Link to Patent Office:
Venezuela
