Legal analysis: The examination and approval procedure of an application for a patent for invention includes five stages: acceptance, preliminary examination, publication, actual examination and authorization. However, there are only three stages in the application for utility model and design, and there are no two stages: pre-announcement and substantive examination. After receiving the patent application, the Patent Office will examine it. If the conditions for acceptance are met, the Patent Office shall determine the date of application, indicate the application number, check the list of documents, and issue a notice of acceptance to inform the applicant.
Legal basis: Article 39 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). If the application for a patent for invention is not found to be rejected after substantive examination, the administrative department for patent in the State Council shall make a decision to grant the patent right for invention, issue a patent certificate for invention, and register and announce it at the same time. The invention patent right shall take effect as of the date of announcement.