Patent Application Encyclopedia

PRH conducts formality examination and substantive examination of invention patents. In Finland, the substantive examination of patent applications starts automatically without filing a specific request. Generally, it takes 8 months for PRH to issue the first office action notification, and the applicant needs to reply to the office action within 2-4 months. Patent granted can be obtained if the granted conditions are met.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.
• Validation of European Patent in EPO member states: 3 months from the date of European patent grant.

The novelty grace period of the year preceding the filing date/priority right is granted if:

• The disclosure was caused by a third party illegally obtaining patent information
• The disclosure resulted from a breach of confidentiality by a person who obtained the patent information directly or indirectly from the applicant
• The disclosure was made by a government agency or a person authorized by a government in the investigation of an invention
• Disclosure results from a public exercise of reasonableness by the patentee or designee, the original owner of both, or a person with the consent of one of the foregoing
• A one-year novelty grace period if the evidence is submitted prior to review if the first disclosure was made after December 30, 2018, by:
  • patentee or designee
  • Original right holder of the patentee or designee
  • A person with the consent of the original right holder of the patentee or designee

A novelty grace period of 6 months is available if:

• With the consent of the inventor, the invention is exhibited at a specific exhibition or used for the exhibition
• Use or disclose inventions after the above exhibitions

The initial protection period is 4 years from the filing date, and can be renewed twice, 4 years and 2 years respectively, up to 10 years.

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

no

• 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.

The novelty grace period is 6 months before the filing date/priority date.

2-5 years

no

yes. The applicant can request to change the patent type from utility model to invention before the patent is granted.

yes

no

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 .

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

Vietnam State Intellectual Property Office

English: Intellectual Property Office of Viet Nam, Abbreviation: IPVN

Website: Trang chủ - CỤC SỞ HỮU TRÍ TUỆ (ipvietnam.gov.vn)

Vietnam Utility Model Patent Search: IP Viet Nam

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

no