Which is the competent authority for UK invention patent applications?

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

The UKIPO conducts formal and substantive examinations of patent applications for inventions. The applicant should submit an official search request and pay the corresponding fees at the same time as filing the application, or within 12 months from the priority date, and submit a substantive examination request within 6 months after the patent is published.

Reinstatement of priority is accepted on the grounds of "Unintentional".

• Authorization Fee: None
• Annuity: The renewal fee is paid every 5 years and must be submitted within 6 months before the due date of the annual fee. The deadline is the last day of the month in which the application date is located. Overdue payment can be made within the 6-month late payment period. Except that no penalty will be charged for the first month, a penalty of GBP 24.00 per month will be charged for the remaining months.

If the British patent application is disclosed in an officially recognized international exhibition 6 months before the application, or is disclosed maliciously by a third party, the novelty grace period will be enjoyed. Evidence of exhibits at the exhibition must be submitted with the application.

yes

• via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
• Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.

Design pictures can contain up to 12 pictures. UKIPO only conducts a 2-week formal review of design patent applications. If there are any defects, the applicant must reply to UKIPO's review comments within 2 months. Design applications can be patented after overcoming the defects.

10-12 months

20 years. Pharmaceutical invention patents have supplementary protection certificates (Supplementary protection certificates, SPC), which can extend the protection period for 5 years.