For both patents and utility models, the inventions must be new, involve an inventive step and have an industrial application.
In the case of utility models, the requirements are similar to those required for patents, i.e. novelty and inventive step, although they are applied less strictly. Also, utility models will always be objects (instruments, tools, apparatus, devices) whose configuration, structure or constitution provides an appreciable advantage in terms of its use or manufacture.
Therefore, procedural inventions, plant varieties or inventions that incorporate biological material cannot be protected as utility models.
