What is an invention patent and how long is the protection period of an invention patent?

An invention patent refers to an invention as mentioned in the Patent Law, and refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement. The term of protection of invention patent can reach 20 years as long as the annual fee is paid on time; The protection period of the utility model is 10 year. In Article 42 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC), the term of the invention patent right is 20 years, and the term of the utility model patent right and the design patent right is 10 years, all of which are counted from the date of application.