4-12 months
Multiple variant designs may be included in one application if the designs relate to the same object and differ only in minor features, or can be identified as a set of goods and have a single design concept.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" accepted.
The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.
no
no
yes. The applicant can request to change the patent type from utility model to invention before the patent is granted.
The novelty grace period is 6 months before the filing date/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 starting from the first 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 a 50% penalty must be paid at the same time.
yes. The applicant may request that the patent application be changed from an invention to a utility model before the publication of the patent application but no later than the grant decision.
1-3 years