Patent Systems

MacaoHong KongChinaTaiwan

TaiwanChinaHong KongMacao

Invention

Patent Term：
20 years from the filing date

Examination Procedure：
substantive examination (the request for substantive examination has to be filed within 7 years from the filing date)

Duration of Examination：
approximately 3 years

Claim for Foreign Priority：
the application has to be filed within 12 months from the filing date of the earliest foreign application

Payment of Maintenance Fee：
annual payment from the 3rd year from the filing date

Extension of Invention Patent from SIPO

Brief Introduction：
the application of invention patent filed at the SIPO or the invention patent granted from the SIPO (within 3 months following the publication of the grant notice of the patent in the "Patent Gazette") can be extended to Macau

Patent Term：
20 years from the filing date in the mainland China

Examination Procedure：
substantive examination

Duration of Examination：
approximately 3~4 months

Claim for Foreign Priority：
the application has to be filed within 12 months from the filing date of the earliest foreign application

Payment of Maintenance Fee：
annual payment from the 3rd year from the filing date in the mainland China

Utility Patent

Patent Term：
10 years from the filing date

Examination Procedure：
the request for examination has to be filed within 4 years from the filing date (the examination report is issued)

Duration of Examination：
approximately 1~2 years

Claim for Foreign Priority：
the application has to be filed within 12 months from the filing date of the earliest foreign application

Payment of Maintenance Fee：
annual payment from the 2nd year from the filing date

Industrial Design/Model

Patent Term：
25 years from the filing date

Examination Procedure：
the request for examination has to be filed within 30 months from the filing date (the examination report is issued)

Duration of Examination：
approximately 1~2 years

Claim for Foreign Priority：
the application has to be filed within 6 months from the filing date of the earliest foreign application

Payment of Maintenance Fee：
annual payment from the 5th year from the filing date