A novelty grace period of 6 months prior to the filing date/priority date may be granted if the invention is disclosed as a result of apparent misuse by the applicant or its former right holders, or if the invention is exhibited at an official or officially recognized exhibition.
ATPO conducts formality examination only for utility model patent applications. Although ATPO searches utility model patent applications, the search results do not affect the grant results. The applicant may amend the patent application after receiving the search report.
1 month
11 months. If an expedited request is made, granted can be obtained in about 3-4 months.
2 years
A novelty grace period of 6 months prior to the filing date/priority date may be granted if the invention is disclosed as a result of apparent misuse by the applicant or its former right holders, or if the invention is exhibited at an official or officially recognized exhibition.
20 years. Patented medicines and plant protection new varieties can obtain an additional 5-year renewal period, and children's medicines can obtain an additional half-year patent protection period.
- via Paris Convention : 6 months from earliest priority date.
- EU route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
- Hague Agreement route: 6 months from earliest priority date.
Reinstatement of priority on grounds of "due care" and "unintentional/due care" accepted.
yes. Prior to patent grant/rejection, the patent type can be converted from utility model to invention at the request of the applicant. Can only be converted once.
The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times for a maximum protection of 25 years.