There are tree patent types in China, invention patent, utility model patent and design patent. For granted invention patents, the duration of protection is 20 years, counting from the application date, considering the annual fees are paid in time.
For registered utility model and design patents, the duration of protection is 10 years, counting from the application date, considering the annual fees are paid in time.
There are two ways to file your patent applications in China.
If you have a PCT application, you should enter it into China within 30 months from the earliest priority date. In case you have missed the 30-months deadline, you can still enter the PCT application in China using the two months grace period with extra fees, which means you can enter the PCT application in China within 32 months from the earliest priority date.
You can also file a patent application directly with or without the priority. It is also very convenient.
As the Chinese Patent Office will only accept the patent application document in Chinese. So we will need to translate it before we file it to the Chinese Patent Office.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any question.