Patent Application Encyclopedia

no

2-2.5 years

The BPO conducts formal and substantive examinations of invention patent applications. The BPO will complete the formality examination within 1 month from the filing date, and then the BPO will verify the Certified Priority Document and its related fees, and will conduct a preliminary substantive examination and unity examination of the patent application within 3 months after the end of the preliminary examination. A patent application that has paid the search fee and publication fee is published within 18 months from the filing date/priority date, and the opposition period is 3 months from the publication date. Search reports, written opinions on patentability and third-party opinions will be conveyed to the applicant no later than 6 months after the expiration of the 3-month opposition period. Can be authorized.

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

3-4 years

OSIM conducts formality examination and substantive examination of design patent applications. The quality of the exterior design pictures must be guaranteed, and OSIM only accepts pictures or paper copies in .gif format. Applicants may apply for a deferment of publication, but not later than 30 months after the filing date. Within two months after publication, any third party may raise objections and provide evidence, and OSIM will convey the third-party public opinions to the applicant, and the applicant shall reply within two months from receiving the notification. Within three months of the objection being filed, OSIM will issue a report agreeing or denying the objection, which will be considered in the substantive examination.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

IPONIGERIA conducts only formality examination of designs.

Designs are entitled to a novelty grace period of 6 months from the filing date/priority date if:

• If a third party maliciously discloses the New Zealand application within 6 months of the filing date/priority date, making the design available to the public
• If a design application is made for a new or original textile product, the first confidential order does not affect the novelty of the application
• For example, when the design is disclosed to the government to assess the merits of the design
• If submitted within 6 months after the opening of the officially recognized exhibition

6 months before the filing date/priority date.

The novelty grace period is 12 months before the filing date/priority date.

• 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.

• Grant fee: The applicant shall pay within 2 months after receiving the announcement of the patent granted decision.
• Annual Fee: An annual fee is paid every 5 years.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 20 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: within 3 months from the date of granted of the European invention.

*Luxembourg is one of the only countries in the world that still retain Chapter I for 20 months to enter the national phase (the other is Tanzania). If it takes 30 months to enter the national phase, a request for international preliminary examination must be submitted.

no

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

no

no