20 years. Pharmaceutical invention patents have supplementary protection certificates (Supplementary protection certificates, SPC), which can extend the protection period for 5 years.
10-12 months
yes
- via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
- via Nationalization of PCT : 31 months from earliest priority date.
Yes, a maximum of 50 combined designs can be included in one design.
If the British patent application is disclosed in an officially recognized international exhibition 6 months before the application, or is disclosed maliciously by a third party, the novelty grace period will be enjoyed. Evidence of exhibits at the exhibition must be submitted with the application.
2-3 years
no
no
UKPTO
English: Intellectual Property Office, abbreviation: UKIPO
Website: Intellectual Property Office - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
UK invention patent search: Intellectual Property Office - Patent document and information service (Ipsum) (ipo.gov.uk)
The initial protection period is 5 years, which can be renewed 4 times, and the maximum protection period is 25 years.