PRV conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patent applications. The formality examination lasts for about 4 months, and the substantive examination does not need to be submitted by the applicant to start, and the examination is carried out automatically. After the actual examination is over, the applicant will receive the final granted notice.
PRV only conducts formality examination on design patents. After the design is officially submitted to the PRV, no modification or addition of other designs is allowed. An applicant may request a deferment of publication for up to 6 months from the filing date/priority date, and this request must be made at the same time as the new application is filed.
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from the earliest priority date and 14 months at the latest.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
- Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.
16-18 months
no
- Authorization Fee: There is no granted fee.
- Annuity: Renewal fee is paid every 5 years. Overdue annual fee can be postponed at the latest within a grace period of 6 months after the due date, and a 20% penalty must be paid at the same time.
none
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- EU design: 6 months from the earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
2 years
no
If the design is disclosed by the designer or his representative within 12 months before the filing date, the design will not lose its novelty.