U Glossary of patent law terms

1 u

1.1 unitary patent
1.2 unity of invention
1.3 utility
1.4 utility model

u
unitary patent

a patent having unitary effect throughout territories of more 1 country. proposed unitary patent in european union, called european patent unitary effect , well-known unitary patent. other unitary patents unitary patent in switzerland , liechtenstein , oapi patent. see regional patent.

unity of invention

a requirement patent application can relate 1 invention (or group of inventions linked form single general inventive concept, see instance unity of invention under european patent convention).

utility

a patentability requirement used prevent patenting of inoperative devices such perpetual motion machines.

utility model

an intellectual property right similar patent, has shorter term (often 6 or 10 years) , may have less stringent patentability requirements. see petty patent , innovation patent.