Patent Application Encyclopedia

no

yes. A utility model can be converted into an invention at any time before granted/rejection, and the converted patent application has the same filing date as the original application, and can only be converted once and a conversion fee is required.

The JPO conducts formality examination and substantive examination of the design patent application, and the substantive examination starts automatically, and the applicant does not need to submit a separate substantive examination request. JPO mainly examines the novelty and inventiveness of designs.

• (*Secret design: applicants can request that their design remain secret for 3 years from the filing date).

no

• Grant fee: The applicant needs to pay the granted fee when receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The applicant needs to pay the annual fee for the second year within 2 months from the date of issuance of the granted notice. The payment can be postponed within 6 months after the overdue period, but a penalty of 30% of the annual fee of the current year must be paid at the same time. You can pay the annual fee for more than two years at one time.

no

If the British patent application is disclosed in an officially recognized international exhibition 6 months before the application, or is disclosed maliciously by a third party, the novelty grace period will be enjoyed. Evidence of exhibits at the exhibition must be submitted with the application.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: within 3 months from the date of grant of the European patent.

no

• 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.

no

Korean Industrial Property Office

English: Korea Intellectual Property Office, abbreviation: KIPO

Website: Korean Intellectual Property Office (kipo.go.kr)

Korean Invention Patent Search: Integrated Search < SEARCH - KIPRIS Patent Information searching service

3-5 years

The initial term of protection is 10 years, and upon application by the right holder in the last year of the term of protection, it can be renewed for 5 years, with a total of 15 years after the renewal.

20 years

DIP conducts substantive examination of design patent applications, and only examines whether the conditions of novelty and industrial applicability are met.

yes. The applicant may request that the patent application be changed from an invention to a utility model before the publication of the patent application but no later than the grant decision.

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.

20 years