Required Documents

1.English/Japanese Specification (including Abstract and Claims) and Drawings
2.Chinese Specification *
3.Power of Attorney *
4.Assignment *
5.Priority document **
*can be filed within four months from the filing date (extensible to 6 months maximum)
**can be filed within four months from the filing date (non-extensible)

Required Information

Applicant's name, nationality, address and representative; inventor's name and nationality; priority country, date and number.

Types of Patent

1. Invention Patent
2. Utility Model
3. Design

Examination

Invention Patent

Request for examination (within 3 year from the filing date)

Utility Model

Formality examination

Design

Automatic examination

Examination Period

About 12-18 months

Publication Period

Nil

Opposition

Nil

Invalidation

After the issuance of the Letters Patent

Patent Marking

Required

Term of Patent

Invention Patent

Starting from the publication date, valid for 20 years from the filing date

Utility Model

Starting from the publication date, valid for 10 years from the filing date

Design

Starting from the publication date, valid for 12 years from the filing date

Annuity Payment

To be paid only for allowed application and granted patent due on each anniversary of the publication date, with a grace period of six months if the annuity was not paid by the due date (except for the first annuity which must be paid together with the issue fee for the issuance of Letters Patent).