How do individuals apply for patents?

To apply for a patent, an individual needs to file a patent application with People's Republic of China (PRC) and China National Intellectual Property Administration, submit materials as required, and obtain a patent right after being examined and approved by the China National Intellectual Property Administration Patent Office according to legal procedures, and the patent right is protected by law. In China, patents are generally divided into invention patents, utility model patents and design patents. If the patent passes the examination and certification, the applicant is the corresponding patentee.

Classification of patents

1. Invention patent: You can apply for an invention patent for a product, a method or a new technical scheme put forward by improving a product or method.

2. Patent for utility model: You can apply for a patent for utility model for the new technical scheme proposed by the shape, structure or combination of products.

3. Design patent: You can apply for a design patent for a new design with aesthetic feeling and suitable for industrial application according to the shape, pattern or their combination and the combination of color, shape and pattern of the product.

If your invention or design is not patented in time, it is very likely that others will steal the fruits of your labor. After stealing, the inventor may also be sued for patent infringement, causing adverse effects and losses. Therefore, when you have an invention or design, you should apply for a patent in time, so that your invention can be protected by law and others can be prevented from imitating it. Especially, some key technologies can constitute technical barriers, and patents can also be used as intangible assets to enhance the core competitiveness of enterprises.

No matter for enterprises or individuals, patent application is a necessary procedure to obtain patent rights. In terms of patent application, the patent laws of all countries in the world are basically the same. Enterprises or individuals can apply by themselves or entrust an agency to apply. Only after passing the patent certification can their patent rights be protected according to law.