After acceptance, utility model patents and design patents will first undergo a preliminary examination, which mainly checks whether there are obvious errors, whether they comply with the relevant provisions of laws and regulations, whether they fall within the scope of protection of utility models or designs, etc. If no problem is found, an authorization notice will be issued, and a certificate will be issued after payment. If the requirements are not met, the examiner will issue an examination opinion or a letter of correction. If the applicant passes the corrections, the applicant will be authorized and issued a certificate after paying a fee. If the applicant fails to make corrections multiple times, a rejection decision will be issued.
After invention patents are accepted, they also need to go through a preliminary review. The review is not as intensive as utility model and appearance patents. The main focus is to see whether there are any violations of laws and regulations, whether there are promotional terms, etc. It is not too big. Questions will be posted online if the applicant passes the preliminary review. If there are any questions, the applicant will be asked to make corrections. Qualified corrections will be publicly announced, while unqualified corrections will be rejected.
After the invention is disclosed, the invention enters the practical examination stage. The examiner further examines the patent application documents, such as whether it can be realized theoretically. Then, the examiner will also conduct a search of technical documents around the world and find that If the application is the same or similar, an examination opinion will be issued. If the applicant responds that he is qualified, the application will be authorized and a certificate will be issued after paying the fee. If the application is unqualified, the application will be rejected.
If no problem is found, an authorization notice will be sent directly. After the fee is paid, a certificate will be issued.