New Service Guidelines at the SPTO
Article 11.1 of Royal Decree 951/2005, which establishes the general framework for improving quality within the Central Government, promotes the publication of service guidelines which represent an effective and transparent commitment towards citizens on behalf of the Central Government.
In 2001, the SPTO developed its first Service Guidelines document for the Information Service, which was followed by those corresponding to Distinctive Signs, Technological Information Services and the International Search Administration.
As of September 17, a fifth one was added related to Utility Models containing the following commitments on maximum granting and publication deadlines under various circumstances and in all cases:
- Publication of applications which have not had defects in their
processing: 4 months.
- Direct Granting of Utility Models, without defects prior to publication and without third party opposition: 8 months.
- Granting or the refusal of Utility Models presenting defects prior to publication or opposition by third parties against their granting: 14 months.
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