yes. The applicant can request to change the patent type from utility model to invention before the patent is granted.
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
The novelty grace period is 6 months before the filing date/priority date.
The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.
4-12 months
20 years, inventions of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and pesticides can enjoy a maximum patent term extension of 5 years.
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee, registration fee and first annual fee within 4 months after receiving the granted decision.
- Annuity: pay year by year from the 3rd year from the application date, the annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, and the penalty is 50% of the annual fee of the year.
no
The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed every 5 years, up to a maximum of 25 years.
Reinstatement of priority is accepted on grounds of "due care".