Can I still apply for a patent for an invention that has been exhibited at the exhibition?

If it is exhibited for the first time in an international exhibition hosted or recognized by the China Municipal Government within 6 months, it may apply for a patent.

The invention applying for patent needs to meet the requirements of novelty, creativity and practicality.

Novelty means that the invention or utility model does not belong to the prior art; Before the filing date, no unit or individual filed an application for the same invention or utility model with the administrative department for patent in the State Council, and it was recorded in the patent application documents published or announced after the filing date.

Creativity means that compared with the prior art, the invention has outstanding substantive features and remarkable progress, and the utility model has substantive features and progress.

Practicality means that the invention or utility model can be manufactured or used and can produce positive effects.

Among them, regarding novelty, Article 24 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC) (revised in 2008) stipulates:

An invention-creation applying for a patent shall not lose its novelty in any of the following circumstances within six months before the date of filing:

(1) It was exhibited for the first time at an international exhibition sponsored or recognized by the China Municipal Government;

(2) It was first published at a specific academic conference or technical conference;

(3) Others disclose the contents of the application without the consent of the applicant.