Are annual fees for the first and second years of an invention patent actually paid? When receiving the certificate, you must pay the authorization registration fee and the annual fee for the current

Are annual fees for the first and second years of an invention patent actually paid? When receiving the certificate, you must pay the authorization registration fee and the annual fee for the current year. Which year does the current year here refer to?

The protection period of an invention patent is 20 years.

The annual fee is not actually paid in the first and second years.

If you pay the authorization registration fee, the annual fee will be paid in that year. If the fee is for the fifth year, then the annual fees for the first to four years will be waived.

If you want to see which year the current year refers to, please check it specifically. It is listed on the authorization registration notice.