1. application stage: at this stage, the applicant submitted an application for a patent for utility model, and after preliminary examination, it was confirmed that the application documents were free from defects. At this point, the Patent Office will issue a Notice of Acceptance of Patent Application.
2. Examination stage: In the examination stage, the Patent Office will conduct a comprehensive substantive examination of the utility model patent to confirm whether the patent meets the relevant requirements of the Patent Law. After the examination and approval, the Patent Office will issue a Notice of Patent Grant and require the applicant to pay the annual patent fee.
3. authorization stage: in the authorization stage, the utility model patent is approved by the patent office and granted the patent right. At this time, the applicant needs to pay the annual patent fee in accordance with the provisions of the Patent Law.
4. Invalidation stage: The utility model patent will be declared invalid if it is found to be defective or does not meet the relevant requirements of the Patent Law after authorization. At this point, the patent right will be terminated.
5. A patent is a legal document to protect inventions and creations, which is legally binding. According to the provisions of the patent law, inventions can be patented and protected by the state. Patent right is an exclusive right. Without the permission of the patentee, no one may manufacture, use, sell, import patented products or use patented methods.