The PPO conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. There is no need to file a request for substantive examination, and the substantive examination starts automatically.
A 6-month novelty grace period is available if the disclosure is caused by a third party in bad faith.
yes
no
20 years
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care."
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
- EU appearance route: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
no
The PPO only conducts formality examination of utility model patent applications, only examines novelty and industrial applicability, and does not examine inventive step.
The PPO conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. There is no need to file a request for substantive examination, and the substantive examination starts automatically.
If disclosed by the author or his successor, the novelty grace period shall be enjoyed within 12 months after the first disclosure.