4-6 months
IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of utility model patent applications. There are three ways to submit an application to INPI: online application, mailing and submitting a written application to INPI in person. No matter which way the application is filed, the application date of the patent is the time when the patent applicant sends the complete patent application text to INPI. IMPI accepts only one independent claim in a utility model application. Applicants are required to pay the substantive examination fee within 3 months from the date of application. The time limit for responding to the Office Action Notice is 3 months from the date of issue, and can be extended 3 times (one month each time). The requirements for utility models are relatively loose, and they need to be novel and practical, but not inventive.
no
via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
15 years, the initial protection is 5 years, and can be renewed for 2 times after the expiration, with a maximum of 15 years.
no
Yes, a utility model can be converted into an invention during the formality examination period within 90 days from the filing date.
- Authorization Fee: None
- Annuity: Pay yearly from the first year from the application date, and the first annual fee should be paid after granted, and the subsequent annual fee can be paid once every 3 years.
INPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. There are three ways to submit an application to INPI: online application, mailing and submitting a written application to INPI in person. No matter which way the application is filed, the application date of the patent is the time when the patent applicant sends the complete patent application text to INPI. The patent application is published within 18 months from the priority date, and a fee can be paid to file an early publication request; from the date of publication, anyone can submit opinions within the 60-day objection period, if there is no objection, the latest from the application date Enter the stage of substantive examination within 18 months. The average number of examination opinions for each patent application is 3. Patents are granted if the requirements of novelty, practicality and inventiveness are met.
A 12-month novelty grace period is available if the invention is disclosed by the applicant or its agent in any form of communication within one year of the filing date or priority date, or exhibited at a national/international exhibition. Appropriate evidence must be submitted at the time of application.