(1) Different protection objects: An invention refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement. Utility model refers to a new practical technical scheme for the shape, structure or combination of products, so it does not protect methods or products without specific shape and structure, such as products in gas or liquid form. Appearance design refers to a new design with aesthetic feeling and suitable for industrial application based on the shape, pattern or combination of products and the combination of colors, shapes and patterns.
(2) Different protection periods: the protection period for inventions is 20 years, and that for utility models and designs is 10 years, counting from the date of application.
(3) The review procedures are different: inventions have to undergo preliminary review and substantive review, while utility models and designs have only preliminary review.
(4) Different authorization conditions: the essential conditions for the authorization of inventions and utility models are novelty, creativity and practicality, but utility models have lower requirements for creativity than inventions. The necessary conditions of design authorization include: it does not belong to the existing design and conflicts with the application, it is obviously different from the existing design or the combination of existing design features, and it must not conflict with the legal rights obtained by others before the application date.
(5) Different costs. The application fee for invention and the annual fee after authorization are higher, as well as the substantive examination fee; The application fee and annual fee after authorization for utility models and designs are relatively low, and there is no substantive examination fee.
(6) The protection content is different. The protection content of invention and utility model is the same, involving manufacture, use, sale, promised sale and import in production and business activities, while the protection content of design involves manufacture, sale, promised sale and import in production and business activities, not use.