There are three types of patents stipulated in my country's patent law: invention patents, utility model patents, and design patents.
Invention refers to a new technical solution proposed for a product, method or improvement thereof.
It is divided into product invention and method invention of technical solutions.
Product inventions refer to all inventions that appear in tangible form, that is, objects are used to express the invention, such as machines, equipment, instruments, supplies, etc.
Method invention refers to an invention in which the technical solution provided by the inventor uses a certain effect on a certain substance to produce new technical effects.
Method inventions express their technical solutions in the form of operating methods and technological processes.
Utility models refer to new technical solutions proposed for the shape, structure or combination of products that are suitable for practical use.
Utility model patents only protect products with a certain shape. Products and methods without fixed shapes and designs characterized by simple flat patterns are not protected by this example.
Because utility model patents and applications do not require substantive examination, have a short approval cycle, and have low fees, the number of applications for this type of patent accounts for 2/3 of the total number of patent applications.
Appearance design refers to a new design of a product’s shape, pattern, color or their combination that is aesthetically pleasing and suitable for industrial application, that is, the style of the product.
It also includes designs characterized by purely flat patterns.