You never know when you will have an unexpected need that could be easily addressed if you just knew where to go or what to use. My curiosity has often been rewarded by walking down the aisle less traveled, only to discover an obscure tool that is the perfect solution to solve that problem I've been putting off addressing. Utility model patents often fit the bill as that little-known and seldom-used tool that is a perfect fit for extending your intellectual property protection abroad.

Utility model patents are not available in the United States, which is why many patent practitioners and business leaders are unfamiliar with their use and nuances. Although the rules and scope of utility model patents vary from country to country, utility models generally have a shorter patent term (10 years as opposed to 20 for conventional utility applications), a reduced inventive step (e.g., obviousness) requirement, and are limited in subject matter to the shape and structure of an article (or their combination). In particular, utility models are typically not available for processes or new materials. Benefits of utility models are that they generally issue very quickly, and, in many countries, can be filed in parallel with conventional invention patents, giving applicants an opportunity for quick initial coverage for fast-to-market inventions, while waiting for the examination and eventual issuance of the conventional invention application.