utility model

Utility model refers to a form of intellectual property protection granted to technical inventions, similar to patents but generally subject to less stringent requirements and a shorter protection term. It is often described as a “petty patent” or “innovation patent.”

Utility models typically protect inventions that are new and industrially applicable but may not meet the full inventive step threshold required for patents. As a result, registration procedures are usually faster and less complex, often without substantive examination in some jurisdictions.

The scope of protection usually covers products (and in some systems, processes), granting the holder exclusive rights to prevent unauthorized use, production, or commercialization. The protection period is shorter than patents—commonly between 7 and 10 years depending on the jurisdiction.

In Türkiye, utility models are regulated under the Turkish Industrial Property Code. They provide an efficient protection route for incremental innovations, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Utility models play an important role in encouraging practical innovation by offering accessible and quicker protection for technical developments.