What are the ways to apply for a patent?

There are two main ways to apply for a patent: self-application and agency application. Self-application means that the applicant prepares the request, instructions and other documents to apply to the patent administration department of the State Council; The agency application is entrusted to a legally established patent agency.

legal ground

Article 17 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC)

If a foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization that has no habitual residence or business office in China applies for a patent in China, it shall be handled in accordance with the agreement signed between the country to which it belongs and China or the international treaties to which it is a party, or in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

Article 26

To apply for a patent for invention or utility model, a written request, a specification, an abstract thereof, a patent claim and other documents shall be submitted.

Article 27

To apply for a patent for design, a request, a picture or photograph of the design, a brief description of the design and other documents shall be submitted. The relevant pictures or photographs submitted by the applicant shall clearly indicate the design of the product for which patent protection is required.