China Patent Service

Patent Types in China

Invention

Invention refers to any new technical solution concerning a product, a process or improvement thereof.

The duration of patent right for inventions shall be twenty years, counted from the filing date.

Utility model

Utility model refers to any new technical solution relating to the shape, the structure, or their combination, of a product, fit for practical use.

The duration of patent right for utility model shall be ten years, counted from the filing date.

Design

Design refers to any new design of the shape, the pattern, or their combination, or the combination of the color with shape or pattern, of a product, which creates an aesthetic feeling and is fit for industrial application.

The duration of patent right for design shall be ten years, counted from the filing date.