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).
As a PCT filing office, it accepts the restoration of the right of priority on the grounds of "unintentional".
- Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted registration fee within 2 months after receiving the notification of the granted decision, and pay the annual fee for the first to fifth years at the same time.
- Annuity: Subsequent payment of annual fee every 5 years, overdue payment can be made within the grace period after 6 months, but a penalty must be paid at the same time.
no
3-5 years
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
Novelty grace period of 12 months for inventors, their successors and third parties who have received information about the invention from the inventor/successors, through any form of communication or at national and international exhibitions .
yes
yes. As long as the application is not abandoned, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention within 3 months of filing the utility model patent application, or within 3 months from the date when IMPI requires the applicant to make the conversion, after paying the relevant fees.
20 years
yes