Cuba

Types of protection

Patent : Patent protection can be granted to an inventor who develops a product or process. For example, it may include a pharmaceutical composition, a vaccine, a device, a computer, a method for the manufacture of a vaccine, a process for manufacturing a computer, or a method for manufacturing a device, among others, either completely new or for a refinement or improvement of products and processes already known. The protection for patents is 20 years from the date of filing of the application.

Utility Model: A Utility Model Patent can be granted for the protection of a new configuration, structure or constitution of a product or parts thereof, that results in functional improvement for use. The protection afforded for utility patents is 10 years from the date of filing of the application.

Industrial Design Registration: An Industrial Design Registration is available for any element or combination of planar elements, aesthetic or ornamental character, either, shape, color, design or texture, with or without relief or combinations thereof, incorporated into an industrial or craft product, granted a special appearance that distinguishes it from their peers and can serve as a prototype for industrial or handicraft production. The protection afforded for industrial design registrations is 10 years from the date of filing of the application. 1

Convention and treaty membership

Cuba became a member of the Patent Cooperation Treaty in July 1996 and is also a signatory of numerous treaties and conventions including, but not limited to the following:

  • Locarno Agreement
  • Budapest Treaty
  • World Intellectual Property Organization
  • Strasbourg Agreement2

International, National and Regional applications

For information regarding how to file international, regional or national patent applications in each country, we welcome you to contact us.

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1 https://www.ocpi.cu/invenciones-y-modelos-industriales/101

2 https://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/profile.jsp?code=CU#a6