What is the general situation of Dutch invention patents?

The term of protection of Dutch invention patents is 20 years from the date of application. The definition of invention in Dutch patent law is: "Invention refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement."

The application system of invention patent in the Netherlands is different from that in China. An application for a patent for invention can be authorized without substantive examination, but the applicant needs to request novelty retrieval within 13 months from the date of application.