10 years
no
- Authorization Fee: None
- Annuity: The annual fee is paid every 5 years. The overdue annual fee can be paid within a grace period of up to six months after the due date, and a 20% late fee will be paid at the same time. Pay within the first 3 months of the grace period with no late fees.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.
1 month
yes. Prior to patent grant/rejection, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention at the request of the applicant. Can only be converted once.
2 years
11 months. If an expedited request is made, granted can be obtained in about 3-4 months.
yes
A novelty grace period of 6 months prior to the filing date/priority date may be granted if the invention is disclosed as a result of apparent misuse by the applicant or its former right holders, or if the invention is exhibited at an official or officially recognized exhibition.
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: within 3 months from the date of grant of the European patent.