Because there are huge financial interests behind a patented technology, if a company owns many patented technologies, then it will definitely have super comprehensive strength and industry competitiveness. Therefore, it is particularly important for companies to understand the patent application process and fees.
1. Patent application process
In China, patent applications are divided into three types: appearance patent applications, utility model patent applications and invention patent applications.
Design patent application
(1) To apply for a design patent, you need to prepare six-sided appearance views of the product, and fill in the "Design Patent Application Form" together with the design Briefly describe and submit application documents to the National Patent Office.
After submitting the application, you can get the "Patent Acceptance Notice" in about a week; in about 3-5 months, the Patent Office will issue the "Notice of Grant of Design Patent Rights" and "Notice of Registration Procedures" ; After paying the patent registration fee and annual fee, the license will be issued in about two months.
(2) Utility model patents and invention patent applications
Both utility model patents and invention patents need to write a patent specification and submit it to the National Patent Office together with the patent application. Since the Patent Law stipulates that invention patents are subject to substantive examination only after the applied patent specification is disclosed, submitting an early disclosure statement is to enter substantive examination as soon as possible and shorten the patent application cycle. Therefore, invention patents also need to submit two documents: "Request for Advance Disclosure Statement" and "Request for Substantive Examination".
1. After submitting an application for a utility model patent, you can get the "Patent Acceptance Notice" in about a week; the Patent Office will issue the "Notice of Grant of Utility Model Patent Rights" and "Registration Procedures" in about six months Notice"; after paying the patent registration fee and annual fee, the license will be issued in about two months.
2. After submitting an application for an invention patent, you can get the "Patent Acceptance Notice" in about one week; Declaring to disclose the specification of the patent applied for will enter the substantive examination stage; if the substantive examination is passed, a "Notice of Grant of Invention Patent Rights" and "Notice of Registration Procedures" will be issued. After paying the fees in time, the certificate will be issued in about two months. The invention patent application process takes about three years.
If you apply for the above three types of patents individually (limited to individuals from mainland China), you can submit a "Fee Reduction Application" together to request a reduction in application fees and the first three annual fees.
2. Patent application fee standards
Enterprises can apply for a reduction or exemption of patent application fees. After review by the Intellectual Property Office, they can submit it to the State Intellectual Property Office. Generally, a certain reduction will be granted, and the fees are generally Between 300 yuan and 1,200 yuan.
Chinese patents are divided into three types: inventions, utility models, and designs.
Different patent types have different protection periods. Therefore, we must take comprehensive considerations into consideration and choose the patent type that is most beneficial to us to apply to protect our patent rights to the greatest extent. For more information about the patent application process and fees, welcome to consult Intellectual Property! Patent application method Patent application process and fees