1. patent application
Patent application is the first step to obtain the national patent right. Before applying for a patent, an inventor or innovator needs to conduct sufficient market research and technical analysis to ensure that his invention or innovation is feasible and original. Then, the applicant needs to write a patent application and attach relevant technical documents, drawings and examples.
The writing of patent application needs to follow certain formats and requirements, including the description of technical field, the background and problems of invention or innovation, the description of solution, examples and the description of implementation effect. The applicant also needs to pay a certain application fee and submit the application materials to the State Patent Office for examination.
2. Patent examination
Patent examination is a process in which the State Patent Office examines and evaluates patent applications. During the review process, the State Patent Office will review the application materials submitted by the applicant, including the evaluation of technical feasibility, originality and practicality.
The purpose of patent examination is to ensure that the patent application meets the requirements of national patent laws and regulations, and make a fair and objective evaluation. In the process of examination, in order to better understand and evaluate the contents of the application, the State Patent Office may require the applicant to provide further technical explanations or supplementary materials.
3. Patent authorization
Patent authorization is a process in which the State Patent Office authorizes and issues patent rights to patent applications that have passed the examination. Once the patent application has passed the examination and is considered to be technically feasible, original and practical, the State Patent Office will issue a patent certificate and grant the applicant a patent right.
Patent authorization usually takes a long time, which may take months or even years. After the patent is granted, the applicant can enjoy the rights and interests brought by the patent right, including the exclusive right of invention or innovation, technology transfer and the realization of economic benefits.
4. Patent maintenance and protection
Patent maintenance and protection is an important task for the applicant after obtaining patent authorization. The applicant needs to pay the patent maintenance fee regularly to ensure the validity of the patent right and the protection of rights and interests.
Patent maintenance fee is a fee paid to maintain the validity of patent right, which usually needs to be paid every year. If the applicant fails to pay the patent maintenance fee on time, the patent right may become invalid.
In addition, applicants can also protect their patent rights and interests through patent licensing, technology transfer and patent infringement litigation. Patent license means that the applicant authorizes others to use the patent right, while technology transfer means that the applicant sells the patent right to others. Patent infringement litigation means that the applicant protects his patent rights and interests through legal channels.