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The utility model shall protect, under the law, any technical invention, provided that it is new, it exceeds the framework of mere professional skill and it is susceptible of industrial application.

The conditions for granting the utility model certificate are less restrictive, "the inventive step" being minor or even absent and the procedure is, in general, quicker and simpler than that of patent granting. As well, the fees are less than those required for patents.

An application or an utility model can be turned into a patent application at the explicit request of the applicant.