What are the differences between the three patents in China?

According to the provisions of the Patent Law, patents in China are divided into three categories: inventions, utility models and designs. These three types of patents are different in terms of the object of protection, the difficulty of authorization and the stability of rights. Let's talk about their differences.

(1) In terms of protected objects, design patents protect designs; Technical scheme for patent protection of inventions and utility models. Furthermore, the technical scheme of invention patent protection includes products and methods, while utility model patents only protect products, and products must be products with shapes and structures. For example, compounds with black, pink or uncertain shapes cannot apply for utility model patents, but can only apply for invention patent protection.

(2) The difficulty of authorization is different. The invention needs to go through two stages: China National Intellectual Property Administration's preliminary examination and substantive examination; Utility models and designs may apply for patents after preliminary examination.

(3) The stability of rights is different. Because the invention patent can only go through two stages: preliminary examination and substantive examination.