yes. A patent applicant can convert the patent type from a petty patent (utility model) to an invention before the patent application is granted. The converted patent application has the filing date of the original patent application.
6 months
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
10 years
8 months
no
5-8 years
via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- 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.
no
yes. A patent applicant can convert the patent type from a petty patent (utility model) to an invention before the patent application is granted. The converted patent application has the filing date of the original patent application.