Protecting your Invention in Cyprus

Patent in Cyprus is a legal entitlement granted by the government to an inventor or assignee for a limited duration in exchange for revealing an invention. The objective of a patent is to encourage innovation by providing inventors with the sole right to their invention for a specified period, during which they can regulate who produces, uses, or sells it.

A patent safeguards the invention itself and can cover a broad range of inventions, such as products, processes, machines, or compositions of matter. To qualify for a patent, the invention must be new, involve an innovative step, and have industrial applicability.

Once awarded, a patent confers exclusive rights to the inventor for a predetermined period, generally 20 years from the date of submitting the patent application. During this time, the inventor can stop others from producing, using, or selling the invention without their consent. After the patent expires, the invention enters the public domain, and anyone can produce, use, or sell it without infringing on any patent rights.

The purpose of a patent is to safeguard new inventions, covering their functionality, composition, manufacturing process, and purpose. In Cyprus, an invention must meet specific criteria to be eligible for patent protection. Firstly, it must be new and not previously disclosed. Secondly, it should involve an inventive step, meaning it’s not something that would be considered obvious by someone knowledgeable in the field.

Finally, the invention must be suitable for industrial use, meaning it can be produced and used in any industrial sector. These requirements ensure that patents are only granted to truly innovative and valuable inventions.

Registering a Patent in Cyprus

The primary law governing patent protection in Cyprus is the Patent Law 16(I)/1998. This law sets out the criteria that must be satisfied in order for an invention to be eligible for patent protection. These criteria are similar to those found in other jurisdictions and can be summarized as follows:

Novelty: The invention must be new and not previously made available to the public before the date of the patent application. This ensures that the invention is not already known or in use by others.

Applicability: The invention must be able to be developed or utilized in some industry. This ensures that the invention is not purely theoretical or speculative in nature.

Inventive Step: The invention must involve an inventive step, meaning it is not obvious to someone skilled in the relevant field. This ensures that the invention represents a significant improvement over existing technology. Industrial

In addition to these substantive requirements, there are procedural requirements that must be met. These include filing, examination, publication, and grant requirements. The patent application must be filed in the name of the inventor(s) and must include a detailed description of the invention and any necessary drawings or diagrams.

A set of claims defining the scope of the invention must also be included in the application. The Cyprus Patent Office will examine the application to ensure it meets the legal requirements for patentability. Once accepted, the patent application is published in the Official Gazette to inform the public of its existence and scope.

Finally, if the application meets all requirements, the inventor will be granted exclusive rights over the invention for 20 years from the filing date.

Patent in Cyprus Rights Infringement and Remedies

If someone is found to be infringing on a patent, the patent holder can seek legal remedies to protect their intellectual property rights. These remedies may include seeking damages for any financial loss suffered as a result of the infringement, seeking an injunction to prevent further infringement of the patent, or seeking to have infringing products seized and destroyed.

However, in order to prove infringement, the patent holder must demonstrate that the infringing party is making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without their permission. Seeking legal remedies can be an effective way for patent holders to protect their inventions and prevent further infringement.

Intellectual Property Lawyers in Cyprus

AVZ Law Office’s lawyers possess expertise in servicing clients from diverse industries, such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, software, and engineering, among many others.

We adopt a collaborative approach towards our clients and work closely with them to comprehend their distinctive goals and requirements. This allows us to develop a tailor-made patent strategy that caters to their individual needs. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional, personalized service and assistance throughout the patent registration process.

Our lawyers have a profound knowledge of intellectual property law and possess a thorough understanding of the intricacies and obstacles of navigating the patent system.