1. Different protection objects: Invention refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement; Utility model refers to a new technical scheme suitable for practical use for the shape, structure or combination of products.
2. Different protection periods: the protection period of utility model patents is 10 year; The protection period of an invention patent is 20 years.
3. Different creative requirements: invention patents need to have "outstanding substantive characteristics and remarkable progress"; The utility model patent only needs to have "substantial characteristics and progress", and its creative level is far lower than that of invention.
4. The examination and approval procedures are different: the utility model is only examined in form; In addition to formal examination, invention patents also need substantive examination, so the authorization time is longer.
In modern times, patents are generally documents issued by government agencies or regional organizations representing several countries according to their applications. This kind of document records the contents of the invention and creation, and in a certain period of time, it has produced such a legal state that the patented invention and creation can only be implemented by others with the permission of the patentee. In China, there are three kinds of patents: inventions, utility models and designs.