Patent Application Encyclopedia

no

no

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

yes. The type of patent can be changed from invention to utility model within 30 days of receiving the grant/rejection decision, and the corresponding fee should be paid.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• 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

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on the grounds of "all due care".

Reinstatement of priority on grounds of “due care” accepted as RO.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.

yes. Multiple designs may be included in one French design application, provided that the designs belong to the same class in the International Classification of Designs.

3-8 years

Formal examination and substantive examination are required.

yes. As long as the application is not abandoned, the patent type can be converted from invention to utility model within 3 months of filing the invention patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.

no

10 years

IMPI conducts only formality examination of designs.

no

no

The deadline for the registration process has not yet been determined as applications have not been reviewed, published and approved.