Legal analysis: the invention patent is granted for a long time, usually three to five years, but due to the need for substantive examination procedures, the authorized patent right is highly stable; Patents for utility models and designs do not need to go through substantive examination procedures, so they can be granted quickly. Generally speaking, the utility model can be authorized within six to twelve months from the date of application, and the design can be authorized within about six months from the date of application. An application for a patent for invention can protect product and method inventions; The application for a patent for utility model does not protect the method invention, but only protects the product and the improvement of its structure; An application for a patent for design only protects the appearance, shape, pattern or their combination and the combination with color of the product.
Legal basis: Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) 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.