Not every innovation requires an invention patent. A utility model protects functional improvements through a faster procedure. We help you choose the right form of protection before the INPI (Argentina’s National Institute of Industrial Property).
Invention patent
It protects new technical solutions that involve an inventive step and industrial applicability. Examination is more rigorous, and protection lasts 20 years from the filing date. It is the right choice when the technological leap is significant — machinery, chemical compositions, industrial processes, certain software developments with a technical effect.
Utility model
It covers functional improvements to known objects or tools. The inventiveness requirement is lower, and the term of protection is 10 years. It is useful for practical adaptations: a more ergonomic device, a simplified mechanism, a part that solves a specific problem without redefining the state of the art.
Want to see it in real cases? Take a look at these utility model examples from companies in Argentina and around the world.
Quick comparison
- Invention patent — novelty + inventive step + industrial applicability · 20 years.
- Utility model — novelty + industrial applicability (without the same inventive level) · 10 years.
Trade secrets and publication
Patenting means publishing the solution: in exchange for the temporary monopoly, the knowledge becomes available to the public. If your competitive advantage depends on secrecy — a formula that cannot be reverse-engineered, an internal process — consider a trade secret strategy before you file.
Next step
The right choice depends on the specific development. At Eguía we analyze novelty, documentation, and the target market before filing with the INPI. Ask about patents →
