15 years
yes
yes. As long as the application is not abandoned, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention within 3 months of filing the utility model patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.
IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. The substantive examination starts automatically, and there is no need for the applicant to submit a separate request for substantive examination. No special requirements or fees. Expedited examination can be requested through the Patent Prosecution Highway. The time limit for responding to the Office Action Notice is 2 months from the date of issue, which can be extended once (2 months).
- IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of designs. Substantive examination begins automatically, without a request.
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
3-5 years
IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of utility model patent applications. However, the requirements for substantive examination are relatively loose, only novelty and industrial applicability are required, but innovation is not required.
Novelty grace period of 12 months for inventors, their successors and third parties who have received information about the invention from the inventor/successors, through any form of communication or at national and international exhibitions .
A 12-month novelty grace period applies if the inventor or his successor has communicated in any form, put the design into practice or made it public at national and international exhibitions.
25 years