Patent Application Encyclopedia

2-4 years

IMPI conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. The substantive examination starts automatically, and there is no need for the applicant to submit a separate request for substantive examination. No special requirements or fees. Expedited examination can be requested through the Patent Prosecution Highway. The time limit for responding to the Office Action Notice is 2 months from the date of issue, which can be extended once (2 months).

The novelty grace period is 6 months from the filing date/priority date.

3-6 months

no

yes

The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.

The USPTO conducts formal and substantive examinations of patent applications. The substantive examination starts automatically, and the applicant does not need to submit a separate substantive examination request. The applicant is obliged to disclose through the Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) details of information that has an impact on the patentability of the invention, including but not limited to prior art, publications, sales records, etc. This obligation extends to the announcement of the grant of the patent or the withdrawal of the patent application. Failure to disclose significant prior art may result in the patentee being unable to enforce the underlying patent.

• No official fee is required if the IDS is filed within three months from the filing date or before the first office action is issued.
• An additional official fee is payable if the information cited in the IDS appeared in a foreign patent application three months before the filing of the IDS, or if the applicant or the applicant's representative completed the invention three months ago

no

Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand

English: Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand, abbreviation: IPONZ

Website: Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (iponz.govt.nz)

New Zealand invention patent search: Search Patent case(s) (iponz.govt.nz)

4-6 years

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: The applicant should pay the first annual fee at the beginning of the 5th year from the application date. If it is authorized at the beginning of the 5th year, it must be paid within 60 days from the date of granted. If the annual fee is overdue, it can be paid within 120 days of the overdue period. The annual fee can be paid for multiple years at one time.

OPI conducts only formality examination of design patent applications.

10 years

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

English: Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, abbreviation: IMPI

URL: www.impi.gob.mx

Mexican Invention Patent Search: Search -- FOLLOW (impi.gob.mx)