2. Disclosure: Unexamined patent applications will be published in IPA patent bulletin within 18 months from the date of filing. But disclosure does not mean that the patent is valid or will be accepted.
3. substantive examination: the patent applicant shall request substantive examination within 5 years after submitting the application. If no examination is requested within a reasonable time, the patent application will be invalid. After the applicant requests a review and pays the review fee, IPA will conduct a review within 12 months.
After review, if it meets the requirements, a notice of acceptance shall be issued; If defects are found, a rejection notice will be sent to the applicant. The applicant can make amendments within 12 months. If IPA thinks that the revised application meets the requirements, it will issue an acceptance notice.
4. Acceptance: After the patent application has passed the examination, IPA accepts the application.
Before the patent registration is authorized, anyone can raise an objection. If the objection is established, the applicant will have the opportunity to amend the patent application.
If there is no objection after acceptance and the acceptance fee is paid, the patent shall be registered.