Grace Period for Self-Disclosure Extended

Federal Law No. 235-FZ of July 23, 2025 extended the period before a patent application filing date during which an inventor can publicly disclose their invention without losing their novelty rights.

Prior to the law’s entry into force, information made publicly available through the actions of the author or applicant was not treated as prior art during substantive examination of an invention patent application, provided the application was filed within six months of the relevant disclosure. The new law extends this period to twelve months.

The corresponding periods for utility models (six months) and industrial designs (twelve months) remain unchanged.

The law enters into force on August 3, 2025.