Integrity is our Core Value;
Sincerity is Our Conduct

Summary

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) adopts substantive examination system for patent applications, the request for novelty search must be filed within 12 months from the date of application or the earliest priority date, and the request for substantive examination must be filed within 6 months from the publication date, otherwise the application will be automatically invalidated. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) adopts non-substantive examination system for design applications. After complying with the formal requirements, the design application will be grant. It is possible to include several designs which are in the same international classification in one application.

Advantages

Novelty search can be requested and the applicant can evaluate the patentability of the invention based on a search report issued by the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO).

Application Procedure

1. Composition: Write and translate a specification.
2. Review: Confirm the technical content of the specification.
3. Submit an application to the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO): The examination period of patent is around 3-4 years; the examination period of design is around 2-3 months.
4. Decision of grant: For patent, the annual fees shall be paid yearly from the fifth year of the filing date, if it is not grant within five years from filing date, the annual fees for the fifth year to the approval year must be paid within 3 months from the date of grant. The validity term of patent is 20 years from the filing date. For design, the maintenance fee shall be paid every five years. The validity term of design is 25 years from the filing date.

Required Documents

1. Name and address of applicant in Chinese and English
2. Name and address of inventor in Chinese and English
3. English Specification and drawings