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Intellectual property in Bulgaria

Intellectual Property

National Organisations
The organization for the protection of trademarks and patents is the Bulgarian Patent Office.
Since 1993, there is a law on copyrights and intellectual property. There is also a law on patents but it is not very reliable.
Bulgaria signed the Paris Convention concerning the protection of industrial property and the agreement which establishes the World Organization of Intellectual property (WIPO). Concerning patents, Bulgaria ratified the treaty of co-operation on patents.
Regional Organisations
The European Patent Office
International Membership
Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention For the Protection of Intellectual Property
 

National Regulation and International Agreements

 
Type of property and law Validity International Agreements Signed
Patent
 
Patents Act 1991
maximum 16 years Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
Trademark
 
Trademark Law 1999
10 years. If the trademark has not been used within 5 years of the deposition then it reverts to the public domain. Protocol Relating to the Madrid Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Marks
Design
 
 Industrial Design Law 1999
10 years renewable 3 times every 5 years.  
Copyright
 
Copyright Law and supporting rights
For the author's lifetime and for 70 years after his death Berne convention For the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works
Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms
Rome ConventionFor the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations
WIPO Copyright Treaty
WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty
Industrial Models
 
Industrial Design Law
10 years and may be renewed 3 times in 5 years.  

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Latest Update: March 2024