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.
3-5 years
20 years
6-8 months
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted registration fee within 2 months after receiving the granted decision notice, and pay the annual fee for the first to third years at the same time.
- Annuity: Subsequent payment of annual fee every 5 years, overdue payment can be made within the grace period after 6 months, but a penalty must be paid at the same time.
25 years
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
yes. As long as the application is not abandoned, the patent type can be converted from invention to utility model within 3 months of filing the invention patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.
yes
As a PCT filing office, it accepts the restoration of the right of priority on the grounds of "unintentional".
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted registration fee within 2 months after receiving the notification of the granted decision, and pay the annual fee for the first to fifth years at the same time.
- Annuity: Subsequent payment of annual fee every 5 years, overdue payment can be made within the grace period after 6 months, but a penalty must be paid at the same time.