Patent Application Encyclopedia

6 months

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.

yes. After the applicant pays the corresponding fee, he can apply to change the patent type from invention to utility model.

yes

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: within 3 months from the date of grant of the European patent.

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: The applicant should pay the first annual fee at the beginning of the 5th year from the application date. If it is authorized at the beginning of the 5th year, it must be paid within 60 days from the date of granted. If the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within 120 days of the overdue period. The annual fee can be paid for multiple years at one time.

no

2-12 months

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee and the annual fee for the first year within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The annual fee shall be paid year by year from the second year from the date of granted, and the payment of the annual fee may be postponed within 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, but a 200% penalty shall be paid at the same time.

IPOPHIL conducts formality examination and substantive examination for invention patent applications. After completing the formality examination and prior art search, the applicant needs to enter the public procedure within 18 months from the filing date/priority date, and enter the substantive examination procedure if there is no objection. The applicant shall submit a request for substantive examination within 6 months from the date of publication of the application or within 6 months from the date of entering the national phase at the latest. If the requirements are met, the patent application will be authorized.

A 12-month novelty grace period is available if:

• The designer, his legal successor, or a third party arising from the information or activities of the designer or his legal successor
• Third party that harms the interests of the designer

yes

no

Currently, the Kuwait Patent Office does not examine patent applications. However, applications filed in Kuwait are officially considered evidence of title and priority and are valid at the commencement of examination. From January 2023, patent applications in Kuwait can be filed through the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.

no

15 years, the initial protection is 5 years, and can be renewed for 2 times after the expiration, with a maximum of 15 years.