Patent Application Encyclopedia

DGIP conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. The applicant should submit a request for substantive examination within 36 months from the filing date/priority date.

6 months from the earliest priority date.

4 months

no

yes. Multiple designs are allowed in one design application, but no more than 50 designs.

no

IMPI conducts only formality examination of designs.

16-18 months

no

no

A patent does not lose its novelty under any of the following circumstances:

• Within 6 months of the filing date/priority date, the patent has been disclosed as a result of apparent abuse by the applicant or its previous owner.
• The patent was disclosed at an international exhibition officially recognized by the Paris Convention Organization within 12 months of the filing date/priority date.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from the earliest priority date and 14 months at the latest.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: The annual fee is paid every 5 years. The overdue annual fee can be paid within a grace period of up to six months after the due date, and a 20% late fee will be paid at the same time. Pay within the first 3 months of the grace period with no late fees.

no

10-12 months

no

Inventors have a novelty grace period of 12 months after disclosure (including sale).

no