How long does it take to apply for a patent for invention to get the patent number?

Legal analysis: Generally, it takes at least 18 months to apply for an invention patent. According to the regulations, after receiving an application for a patent for invention, the patent administrative department of the State Council, after preliminary examination, finds that it conforms to the provisions of this Law, and publishes it after 18 months from the date of filing. The patent administration department of the State Council may publish its application at an early date upon the request of the applicant.

Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Patent Law.

Article 1 This Law is formulated for the purpose of protecting the legitimate rights and interests of patentees, encouraging inventions and creations, promoting the application of inventions and creations, improving innovation ability, and promoting scientific and technological progress and economic and social development.

Article 2 Inventions and creations mentioned in this Law refer to inventions, utility models and designs.

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.

Appearance design refers to a new design that is aesthetically pleasing and suitable for industrial application, which is made on the shape, pattern or their combination of products and all or part of the combination of colors, shapes and patterns.

Article 3 The patent administrative department of the State Council is responsible for the management of patent work throughout the country; Accept and examine patent applications in a unified manner and grant patent rights according to law.

The departments for patent administration under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for patent administration within their respective administrative areas.

Article 4 Where an invention-creation applying for a patent involves national security or vital interests and needs to be kept confidential, it shall be handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state.