The maximum term of patent protection of an utility model is 13 years.
Only device patents are granted with respect to utility models.
The list of patentability criteria for utility models is limited to novelty of the entirety of the essential features thereof and industrial applicability.
During examination as to novelty only essential features of and utility model are taken into consideration while non-essential features are either ignored or generalized to the extent that they may be deemed as essential ones.
For utility models the prior art includes information available to the general public before the priority date of a claimed utility model about devices intended for analogous purpose and information on the use thereof in the territory of Russian Federation (relative novelty is applied).
Solutions related to the outward (decorative appearance) of the articles and appealing to the aesthetic sense (designed for satisfaction of aesthetic needs) should not be granted legal protection as utility models.