Patent Application Encyclopedia

yes. A utility model can be converted into an invention at any time before granted/rejection, and the converted patent application has the same filing date as the original application, and can only be converted once and a conversion fee is required.

The initial protection is 5 years, which can be renewed twice, each time for 5 years, and the maximum protection can be 15 years.

10 years

If disclosed by the author or his successor, the novelty grace period shall be enjoyed within 12 months after the first disclosure.

Deadlines for entering the national/regional phase under Chapters I and II of the PCT Treaty

(Monthly from priority date)
(Status as of June 7, 2022)

For detailed information on extensions of deadlines in specific designated/elected Offices, see the corresponding national chapters of the PCT Applicant's Guide.

1. If a European patent is designated/elected, the applicable term is found in the information on EP (European Patent Office) as designated/elected Office.
2. In case of designation/elected Eurasian patent, the applicable term can be found in the information on EA (Eurasian Patent Office) as designated/elected Office.
3. In the absence of information from the Offices concerned, the time limits indicated are those generally applicable under Articles 22(1) and 39(1)(a) of the PCT Treaty. If the Office decides to apply a longer period, the information will be published in the PCT Communications.
4. For the following countries which do not operate a designated/elected Office of their own, this Office is designated/elected: SZ.
5. This time limit can be extended if the applicant pays an additional fee for late entry into the national phase (see the national phase information below for details).
6. If ARIPO patent is designated/elected, the applicable term can be found in the information on AP (ARIPO) as Designated/Elected Office.
7. It may be extended upon written request of the applicant.
8. The time limit applicable when the applicant pays the additional fee for late national phase entry.
9. For the following countries which do not operate a designated/elected Office of their own, this Office is designated/elected: LI.
10. For the following countries that do not operate a designated/elected Office of their own, this Office is designated/elected Office: BE, CY, FR, GR, IE, IT, LT, LV, MC, MT, NL, SI, SM .
11. The Office had informed the International Bureau that the time limit under Article 22(1) of the PCT Treaty, as amended and entered into force on April 1, 2002, did not apply to it - it did not yet apply the 30-month time limit for entry into the national phase.
12. Designated/elected Office for the following countries for which no designated/elected Office operates of its own: BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, KM, ML, MR , NE, SN, TD, TG.
13. This time limit may be extended by 30 days if the applicant pays an additional fee for late entry into the national phase.
14. This period can be extended by up to 18 months on payment of the prescribed fee by the applicant (see National Phase Information for details).
15. After the 30-month period (30 months from the priority date), the applicant may request restoration of the rights within 12 months, provided that the restoration fee is paid and the Canadian Patent Rules 154(3 ) with respect to (delay of national phase entry) other requirements for reinstatement of rights.
16. Applicable to international applications filed on or after 1 July 2020.

Source: https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/time_limits.html

Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand

English: Department of Intellectual Property, abbreviation: DIP

Website: Home (ipthailand.go.th)

Thailand Invention Patent Search: DIP (ipthailand.go.th)

1-2 years

6 months before the filing date/priority date.

• via Paris Convention : 12 months from earliest priority date.
• via Nationalization of PCT : 30 months from the earliest priority date.

National Institute of Industrial Property of Uruguay Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines

English: National Directorate of Industrial Property Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, abbreviation: DNPI

Website: Sitio oficial de la República Oriental del Uruguay - GUB.UY (www.gub.uy)

Uruguayan Patent Search: Consulta libre (miem.gub.uy)

• Licensing Fee: None.
• Annual Fee: None.

• Grant fee: The applicant should pay the granted fee and the annual fee for the first year within 30 days after receiving the granted notice.
• Annuity: The annual fee shall be paid year by year from the second year from the date of granted, and the payment of the annual fee may be postponed within 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, but a 200% penalty shall be paid at the same time.

4-5 years

yes. UIBM may require the applicant to change the patent type from invention to utility model.

Polish Intellectual Property Office

English: Patent Office of the Republic of Poland, abbreviation: PPO

Website: uprp.gov.pl

Polish invention patent search: Wyszukiwarka prosta (uprp.gov.pl)

yes

2 years

• Grant fee: The applicant shall pay the granted announcement fee within 2 months after receiving the official notification.
• Annuity: The annual fee can be paid once every 5 years, and the annual fee can be paid within a grace period of 6 months if the annual fee is overdue, and a 20% penalty should be paid at the same time.

The novelty grace period is 6 months before the filing date/priority date.