Invention patents in China typically take 2–3 years via standard examination. Three fast-track options exist: Pre-examination (3–5 months, for first-time filings with no priority claim), Priority Examination (within 1 year), and Patent Prosecution Highway  PPH (first office action within 1–3 months, available to foreign applicants with a positive foreign examination result). None of these fast-track options have official fees.

The PCT national phase deadline in China is 30 months from the earliest priority date, with a 2-month grace period available on payment of an additional fee. The Chinese translation must be filed within this deadline  late supplement is not accepted by CNIPA, unlike Japan or the US. If the deadline is missed, the national phase application is refused and there is no remedy. We track all PCT deadlines and notify you well in advance.

China has three patent types: (1) Invention patents  protect products, processes, and methods. 20-year term. Full examination, 2–3 year timeline. (2) Utility model patents  protect structural and mechanical improvements. 10-year term. No substantive examination, typically granted in 6–12 months. (3) Design patents  protect ornamental appearance. 15-year term (extended from 10 in 2021). Fast examination, typically 3–6 months.

No. All CNIPA patent proceedings must be conducted in Simplified Chinese. For PCT national phase applications, a Chinese translation must be filed within the 30-month deadline. Late supplement of Chinese translation is not acceptable  unlike Japan or the US. Our in-house patent translators handle all Chinese translations with IP law expertise, not just language knowledge.

PPH allows you to request accelerated examination in China based on a positive examination result from a corresponding foreign patent office (e.g. USPTO, EPO). When CNIPA accepts a PPH request, they typically issue a first office action within 1–3 months  compared to 12+ months for normal applications. For foreign applicants, PPH is the most accessible fast-track route. There is no official fee. We handle the PPH request preparation and submission.

CNIPA issues office actions (OA) when it objects to or rejects your application. OA1 response deadline is 4 months; OA2 and subsequent OAs are 2 months. Extensions can be requested (up to twice per OA). Our patent attorneys draft detailed responses with claim amendments and legal arguments. CNIPA is strict about new matter  claims can only be amended to language already in the original specification. If CNIPA ultimately rejects after all OAs, we file re-examination before CNIPA's Board within 3 months.

Patent invalidation is a proceeding at CNIPA where any party can request cancellation of an existing patent. You use it when: a competitor's patent blocks your product or process; you believe the patent was wrongly granted (lack of novelty, obvious step, etc.); or you want to proactively strengthen your own freedom to operate. The patentee has 1 month to amend claims in response. An oral hearing in Beijing is typically required, and the decision can be appealed to the Beijing IP Court and then the Supreme People's Court.