A 6-month novelty grace period is available if the disclosure is caused by a third party in bad faith.
yes. An invention applicant may propose to change the type of invention from an invention to a utility model during the process of examining the application or within two months from the date of the final decision on the refusal to grant a patent. The utility model application shall be deemed to have been filed from the date of the invention application. A utility model application converted from an invention must fully meet the requirements for utility model documents.
no
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.
yes
- 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: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.
2-4 years
no
4-5 years
20 years
A 6-month novelty grace period is available if the disclosure is caused by a third party in bad faith.