Author Archive: Hangxin FU

Accolade IP Beijing Attends the 14th China International Trademark & Brand Festival Welcome Reception

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Accolade IP Beijing Attends the 14th China International Trademark & Brand Festival Welcome Reception

On the evening of November 22, 2024, the 14th China International Trademark & Brand Festival Welcome Reception was held grandly at the Xi’an International Convention Center. Accolade IP Beijing, as an active participant in the trademark and brand sector, proudly attended this prestigious event, joining distinguished representatives from the global trademark and branding community to celebrate a new chapter in China’s trademark development. Hosted by the China Trademark Association and exclusively co-organized by Shenzhen PurCotton Technology Co., Ltd., the event brought together over 1,000 guests from around the world.

In his speech, Ma Fu, President of the China Trademark Association, warmly welcomed all attendees and expressed gratitude to the supporters and co-organizers of this year’s festival. He highlighted that since its inception in 2005, the China International Trademark & Brand Festival has evolved into one of the country’s most prominent international gatherings in the trademark and brand field. With the theme “Advancing Trademark & Brand Development, Nurturing China’s Renowned Brands,” this year’s festival features a variety of activities aimed at exploring innovative strategies for brand growth and fostering high-quality development in the industry.

Key highlights of the welcome reception included the announcement of the AAA Trademark & Brand Evaluation results, the issuance of the fourth batch of Trademark Agency Service Certification Mark Usage Licenses, and the presentation of several prestigious awards, such as the 2024 Special Contribution to Trademark & Brand Development Award. These activities recognized outstanding contributions by enterprises and individuals while reinforcing the importance of professionalism and integrity in the trademark agency industry. The event also saw the release of the “2024 Trademark Agency Service Capability Top 600,” a systematic evaluation jointly conducted by China Trademark Magazine and Beijing Zhichanbao Network Technology, providing authoritative insights for the trademark agency sector

Gu Jinshan, COO of Winner Medical & PurCotton, shared valuable insights on achieving sustainable brand development through technological and product innovation. Emphasizing the importance of “prioritizing brand over speed, quality over profit, and social responsibility over enterprise value,” he inspired attendees with a forward-thinking approach to brand building. His remarks underscored the significance of the festival as a platform for industry exchange and collaboration.

The reception boasted a stellar lineup of guests, including leaders from the China National Intellectual Property Administration, the World Intellectual Property Organization, prominent entrepreneurs, representatives from national and international associations, and members of the media. Accolade IP Beijing was honored to join this exceptional gathering and looks forward to engaging with industry peers in upcoming festival events to collaboratively drive the growth of China’s trademark and brand sector.

The success of this year’s festival highlights China’s achievements in trademark and brand development while fostering global collaboration and innovation in the field. Accolade IP Beijing remains committed to contributing to the advancement of the trademark and brand industry and supporting the global recognition of Chinese trademarks and brands.

 

Title：14th China International Trademark & Brand Festival
Location: China - Xi An
Date：22-25 November 2024

The 2024 AIPPI World Intellectual Property Congress Successfully Held in Hangzhou: A New Chapter for Global IP and Innovation

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The 2024 AIPPI World Intellectual Property Congress Successfully Held in Hangzhou: A New Chapter for Global IP and Innovation

From October 19 to 22, 2024, the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) hosted its World Intellectual Property Congress in the historic and culturally rich city of Hangzhou, China. This marked the first time in AIPPI’s 127-year history that the World IP Congress was held in China, making it a significant event not only for Hangzhou but for the entire country. It presented a unique opportunity for China to showcase its growing influence and achievements in intellectual property.

Background and Importance of the Congress Founded in 1897, AIPPI is a non-profit international organization dedicated to the development and advancement of intellectual property rights worldwide. Each year, the AIPPI Congress brings together IP experts and representatives from around the globe to discuss key issues and challenges in the field. The theme of this year's congress was "Balanced Protection of IP and Innovation Development," which focused on how to protect intellectual property while fostering innovation and economic growth.

Hosting this year’s congress in China reflects the international community’s recognition of China’s remarkable progress in IP development. Moreover, it offered China a platform to engage with the global IP community, showcasing its contributions and the ongoing evolution of its intellectual property systems.

Key Highlights and Activities

The 2024 AIPPI Congress attracted 2,259 attendees from 92 countries and regions, with over 1,500 international participants. This was the largest AIPPI Congress ever held outside of Europe, both in terms of total attendees and the diversity of countries represented.

The congress featured a wide range of events, including an opening ceremony, welcome reception, national and regional president meetings, plenary sessions, thematic forums, an Executive Committee meeting, IP bureau directors’ luncheon, live court hearings on patent infringement cases, and a cultural night. The discussion topics spanned all key areas of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial designs.

Notably, the China-themed forum, a major highlight of the congress, invited Chinese government officials and judges to share the latest developments in China’s IP examination and protection processes. Participants also had the unique opportunity to observe live court hearings on patent infringement cases at the Hangzhou Intermediate People's Court, providing insight into the rigor and professionalism of China’s judicial protection system.

Hangzhou’s IP Development and City Appeal
Hangzhou, the host city, has garnered significant attention for its achievements in the intellectual property space. In recent years, Hangzhou has fostered internationally competitive IP companies and brands, establishing a robust system for IP protection and services. The city’s successful hosting of the AIPPI Congress further underscored its role as a leading center for IP innovation.

Beyond intellectual property, Hangzhou captivated participants with its cultural and scenic allure. From the picturesque beauty of West Lake to the city’s vibrant tech and entrepreneurial scene, Hangzhou seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, leaving a lasting impression on its visitors.

Conclusion and Outlook

The successful conclusion of the 2024 AIPPI World Intellectual Property Congress not only provided new insights into global IP protection and innovation development but also reinforced China’s growing prominence in the global intellectual property landscape. As a result of the congress, participants gained a deeper understanding of China’s IP policies and practices, paving the way for further international cooperation in the field of intellectual property.

[Trademark Registration Tips] Hong Kong Company Trademark Registration Fees and Proceduresslightly

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[Trademark Registration Tips] Hong Kong Company Trademark Registration Fees and Proceduresslightly

Trademark registration is not just for big companies, entrepreneurs also need to pay attention to this aspect! When it comes to "Apple", "Starbucks", "Adidas", these brand logos have been deeply rooted in people's hearts and become the symbol of their success. A trademark is an important external symbol of a company. A unique and easy-to-remember trademark can help consumers quickly identify products and services, allowing the company to stand out from the competition. In recent years, trademark infringement disputes have emerged in an endless stream, and trademark registration has become an effective way to protect exclusive rights of use. What are the procedures, fees, time required and precautions for registering a trademark in Hong Kong? Let usAccolade IPDiscuss with you.

Basic Concepts of Trademark Registration

What is Trademark Registration??

Trademark Registration (Trademarks registration) refers to a trademark that is legally recognized to distinguish the goods or services of different businesses. A trademark can be composed of words, letters, numbers, graphics, colors, or even sounds or smells, but only marks that can be written or represented by drawings can be registered.

In daily life, we often see some trademarks or authorized products with "R®"、"C©"、"TM™", these symbols indicate the protection status of the trademark. These symbols have different meanings and levels of legal protection.

©

C（Copyright)

Copyright symbol，a mark indicating that a work is protected by copyright and is recognized as authentic.

TM

TM（Trademark)

Trademark symbol，which means that the current status of the trademark is "unregistered trademark" or "trademark application in progress". It should be noted that since the trademark has not yet been registered, it is not protected by law, so there is a risk of being preempted by others.

®

R（Registered)

Registered Trademark Symbol，which means that the trademark has been registered, enjoys exclusive rights, and has the obligation to use it. According to the current laws of Hong Kong, unregistered trademarks cannot use the "®" symbol

Why register a trademark?

Why is trademark registration important? If a business fails to register a trademark, it may face the risk of being misappropriated or counterfeited by competitors or unscrupulous businesses, which may lead to consumers being misled, business damage, and even brand disaster, and ultimately the loss of trademark ownership. However, it is not only large companies that need to register trademarks. Every entrepreneur who wants to prosper should prepare in advance. In addition, trademark registration can also prevent inadvertent infringement of other people's trademark rights, thereby avoiding infringement disputes.

Why is trademark registration important? If a business fails to register a trademark, it may face the risk of being misappropriated or counterfeited by competitors or unscrupulous businesses, which may lead to consumers being misled, business damage, and even brand disaster, and ultimately the loss of trademark ownership. However, it is not only large companies that need to register trademarks. Every entrepreneur who wants to prosper should prepare in advance. In addition, trademark registration can also prevent inadvertent infringement of other people's trademark rights, thereby avoiding infringement disputes.

Why is trademark registration important? If a business fails to register a trademark, it may face the risk of being misappropriated or counterfeited by competitors or unscrupulous businesses, which may lead to consumers being misled, business damage, and even brand disaster, and ultimately the loss of trademark ownership. However, it is not only large companies that need to register trademarks. Every entrepreneur who wants to prosper should prepare in advance. In addition, trademark registration can also prevent inadvertent infringement of other people's trademark rights, thereby avoiding infringement disputes.

Why is trademark registration important? If a business fails to register a trademark, it may face the risk of being misappropriated or counterfeited by competitors or unscrupulous businesses, which may lead to consumers being misled, business damage, and even brand disaster, and ultimately the loss of trademark ownership. However, it is not only large companies that need to register trademarks. Every entrepreneur who wants to prosper should prepare in advance. In addition, trademark registration can also prevent inadvertent infringement of other people's trademark rights, thereby avoiding infringement disputes.

Why is trademark registration important? If a business fails to register a trademark, it may face the risk of being misappropriated or counterfeited by competitors or unscrupulous businesses, which may lead to consumers being misled, business damage, and even brand disaster, and ultimately the loss of trademark ownership. However, it is not only large companies that need to register trademarks. Every entrepreneur who wants to prosper should prepare in advance. In addition, trademark registration can also prevent inadvertent infringement of other people's trademark rights, thereby avoiding infringement disputes.

 

Importance of Trademark Registration

A trademark is a unique sign that helps consumers identify the source of goods or services. This is essential for guiding consumers to make brand purchases or consumption. Through trademarks, consumers can clearly know which company or brand the products or services they purchase come from. In addition, trademarks also help companies stand out in market competition. A unique and easily recognizable trademark can attract consumers' attention and increase sales of products or services. At the same time, trademarks are also an important tool for corporate advertising. Through trademarks, companies can effectively convey their brand information and values.

Trademark registration can also provide legal protection for a business. After registering a trademark, a business can prevent others from using its trademark, thereby protecting its customers. If others use a trademark that is identical or similar to yours, you can request compensation. In addition, if you do not register your trademark, you may inadvertently infringe on the trademark rights of others, which may require you to pay a huge amount of compensation. Finally, registering a trademark can also lay the foundation for the sustainable development of a business. A trademark can be licensed to others through transfer, authorization or inheritance. This is very beneficial to the expansion and development of a business.

In general, trademark registration is essential to the development and success of a business. It not only helps a business stand out in market competition, but also provides legal protection for the business, avoids trademark disputes, and thus protects the interests of the business. Therefore, trademark registration is essential for any business that hopes to succeed in the market.

 

Differences between trademark registration, company registration, and business registration

Trademark registration, company registration and business registration are all important matters to consider when doing business, but they have different purposes and scopes. Some people may wonder why a trademark registration is necessary since the company has already been registered? In fact, the registration of company names and trademarks are regulated by different laws and systems. The registration of company names is handled by the Companies Registry, while trademark registration is handled by the Trademark Registry. Simply by having a business registration certificate or a certificate of company registration, it does not mean that the company has the right to use its name as a trademark to promote or operate its goods or services:

  1. Trademark registration: A trademark is the most important symbol for identifying a company. Consumers can effectively distinguish your products and services from those of your competitors through trademarks. Successfully registering a company's product or service trademark brand means obtaining exclusive rights to the trademark, avoiding infringement by others (and avoiding infringement of others' trademark rights), and even being able to expand the market and increase revenue through authorization, transfer, etc.
  2. Company Registration: Company registration is done at the Companies Registry, which establishes a formal identity for doing business. All local limited companies or non-Hong Kong companies incorporated outside Hong Kong and establishing a place of business in Hong Kong must first register with the Companies Registry.
  3. Business Registration: Business registration is done at the Business Registration Office. All businesses operating in Hong Kong are required to apply for business registration. Unincorporated businesses (such as sole proprietorships or partnerships) must submit an application within one month of commencing business.

 

Hong Kong Trademark Registration Inquiry and Search Methods

Before submitting a trademark registration application, it is recommended to conduct a trademark search to determine whether the trademark has been registered by someone else or is identical or similar to the trademark being applied for. This can reduce the risk of the trademark being rejected and avoid the loss of time and money caused by the application being rejected.

Search service: The Intellectual Property Office will inform the applicant whether there are any identical or similar trademarks in the trademark registry. If you want to save money, you can also search the trademark registry yourself in the online trademark search system before submitting your application. Although this method does not require any fees, the official search service will be more accurate.

Preliminary Opinion Service: This service provides a preliminary opinion on whether the proposed mark is sufficient to substantially distinguish the applicant's goods and services from those of other businesses.

If an applicant wishes to use the Trademark Registry's search and preliminary opinion service, he or she needs to complete Form T1 and send it together with the required fee back to the Trademark Registry or apply through the online system.

Trademark Registration Procedure

Step 1: Trademark Search

Before submitting your application, you will need to check if there are any identical or similar trademarks already registered or applied for registration. This is to ensure that your trademark is unique and does not conflict with other registered trademarks. For example, if you want to register a trademark called "Apple" but Apple has already registered this trademark, then you cannot register this trademark.

 

Step 2: Submit your application

Submit your application: Fill out and submit Form T2 with a clear image of your trademark. This stage requires you to provide the specific design and colors of your trademark and describe the elements of your trademark in detail. For example, if your trademark is a red apple, you will need to provide a clear image of a red apple and describe the image in detail in the form.

 

Step 3: Official Review

The Intellectual Property Office will review your application to make sure it meets the requirements for registration. This stage may take some time as the Intellectual Property Office needs to check your application in detail to make sure it does not infringe on the trademark rights of others.

 

Step 4: Review and Announcement

If your application passes the review, your trademark will be published. After the publication period, if no one raises an objection, your trademark can be successfully registered.

 

Things to note when registering a trademark

Trademark registration is an important process. Here are some things you need to pay attention to:

Ensure uniqueness: Before applying for a trademark, you must ensure that the trademark is unique and not similar to existing trademarks to avoid infringement and conflict.

Clearly define the product or service: When applying for a trademark, you need to clearly define the product or service category represented by the trademark to ensure that the scope of application of the trademark is clear and unambiguous.

Conduct trademark pre-check: After deciding the category and trademark image you wish to apply for, it is recommended that you check in advance whether others have already registered similar trademarks in the same category to avoid your application being challenged by others.

The method of trademark application must be the same as the actual use: to avoid falling into the situation that may be revoked under the Trademark Law.

Website URLs and full company names cannot be used for trademark registration: the unique words must be separated out for application.

Whether the trademark words or graphics violate matters that are not permitted under the Trademark Law: such as place names or maps, product raw material names, and other adjectives that directly describe the nature, quality, or other characteristics of the goods or services.

How to enforce your trademark rights

Trademark Search System

Before submitting a trademark registration application, trademark search is a crucial step. If there are other identical or similar prior applications in the same category of goods or services, which is likely to cause confusion among consumers, your trademark registration application is likely to be rejected by the authorities.

On this basis, you need to confirm the classification of your trademark first. The World Intellectual Property Organization has listed 45 categories according to the Nice International Classification of Goods and Services to help you confirm the scope of goods or services involved in the trademark registration. Among these 45 categories, Classes 1-34 are goods categories, and Classes 35-45 are service categories. The following are some common examples:

  • • Product categories (Classes 1-34) include: medicines, food, furniture, clothing, shoes and socks, computer peripherals and software, etc.
  • • Service categories (Class 35-45) include: advertising agency, import and export agency, business management, wholesale and retail, architectural design, medical services, education and training, travel arrangements, telecommunications and legal services, etc.

If you want to know more about international classification, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to provide you with advice and assistance.

Trademark FAQs

Q: What can be trademarked?

A: You can trademark a name, logo, slogan, or even a specific color or sound that is distinctive of your business.

 

Q:How long does the trademark registration process take?

A:The process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the jurisdiction and any legal challenges.

 

Q:How long does trademark protection last?

A:A registered trademark is usually valid for 10 years and may be renewed indefinitely, provided that it continues to be used and the renewal fees are paid.

 

Q:Can I use my trademark before it is registered? ® Symbol?

A:No, you can only use it after your trademark is officially registered. ® symbol. Before this, you can use ™ Or SM.

 

Q:What is the difference between the ™ and ® symbols?

A:The ™ symbol indicates that you claim rights to the mark, while the ® symbol indicates that the mark is registered with the appropriate authority.

 

Q:What are the fees associated with trademark registration?

A:Fees vary by jurisdiction and may include filing fees, attorney fees, and maintenance costs over time.

 

Q:What is Trademark Search and why is it important?

A:A trademark search is a check for existing trademarks that may conflict with yours, helping to avoid legal issues and application rejections.

 

Q:Can I register my brand internationally?

A:Yes, you can register your trademark in multiple countries through international treaties such as the Madrid Protocol, ensuring global protection.

Trademark Watch – Monitoring Marks Around the World

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Trademark Watch – Monitoring Marks Around the World

Overview on Trademark Watch

A company's branding is a crucial asset. As brands grow, so does the risk of imitation due to their popularity and social media influence. Successful business goes beyond just registering and marketing a brand. Protection against entities that could damage its reputation is vital. Monitoring new trademark applications that could be confusingly similar is key to strengthening a brand. The first step towards protecting your business’s IP rights is to register your business name as trademarks. Aligned with Accolade's mission to meet clients' IP needs, we offer Trademark Watch services.

Our tool covers watch results in 185 jurisdictions worldwide.

What is Trademark Watch?

Trademark Watch is a service that monitors trademarks in different jurisdictions. It allows any identical or similar trademarks owned by third parties to be identified. It helps locate identical or similar marks that are pending in specific jurisdictions.

Disclaimer: The information presented here in does not and is not intended to constitute legal advice. All information provided is for general informational purposes only.

What are the Benefits of Trademark Watch?

Trademark Watch is crucial for maintaining and enforcing trademarks. Its main advantage is early detection of pending similar or identical marks, deterring others from registering them. This allows entrepreneurs to oppose such applications.

What Kind of Trademark is Covered?

Type of Mark

Composition of Mark

Jurisdiction

 

Latin Characters

Worldwide
Wordmark

Chinese characters

Mainland China,
Hong Kong,
Macau & Taiwan
  Other characters, such as Korean, Japanese,
Thai, etc. are not available for Watch

Logo/Device mark

Logo/device mark
or combined with
Latin Characters

Worldwide

 

How Will You be Notified? What Will be included in the Trademark Watch Report?

A Trademark Watch Report will be provided to you on monthly basis, containing details of similar or identical marks, i.e., the owner, jurisdiction, classes, designated goods/services, application number, application date, and status.

How Much is the Cost for Trademark Watch?

The cost for Trademark Watch varies depending on the type of mark, the number of classes, and jurisdictions that will be monitored. Below is the matrix of annual fees for the Trademark Watch:

Wordmark in Pure Latin Characters “ACCOLADE” or Pure logo “ ”  

No. of Class/No. of Jurisdiction

First
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Per Extra
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Global
(US$/YEAR)

1 Class

450

320

1,150

2 Classes

520

320

1,250

3 Classes

580

320

1,300

All Classes

650

320

1,350
Combined “Latin word & logo” “ ”

No. of Class/No. of Jurisdiction

First
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Per Extra
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Global
(US$/YEAR)

1 Class

900

650

2,300

2 Classes

1,100

650

2,500

3 Classes

1,200

650

2,600

All Classes

1,300

650

2,700
Wordmark in Pure Chinese2 “ ”

No. of Class/No. of Jurisdiction

First
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Per Extra
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

1 Class

450

320

2 Classes

520

320

3 Classes

580

320

All Classes

650

320
Wordmark in Pure Chinese2 “ ”

No. of Class/No. of Jurisdiction

First
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

Per Extra
Jurisdiction
(US$/YEAR)

1 Class

900

650

2 Classes

1,100

650

3 Classes

1,200

650

All Classes

1,300

650

香港专利：低成本维护，灵活保护期限助力创新

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香港专利的主要形式

 

原授标准专利

香港是全球生活成本最高的城市之一，但其专利申请的维护成本却相对亲民，甚至比中国大陆还要低，这一事实或许会让许多人感到惊讶。自2019年12月19日起，香港实施了一项新的专利制度，其中一项引人瞩目的变革是引入“原授标准专利”。这一制度可谓是“千呼万唤始出来”，为追求较长期保护的发明人提供了一种更为直接、便捷的申请选项，同时为确保专利的审查与程序切合香港需要打下重要基础。
原授标准专利无需预先申请或授权，其权利要求的数量也没有限制。香港知识产权署负责其形式和实质审查工作，以确保专利申请的规范性和严谨性。原授标准专利的申请官费相对较低：请求授予原授标准专利的费用为345元港币，公告费为68元港币，请求实质审查的费用为4000元港币。为了维持原授标准专利的有效性，专利持有者需在专利授予后的第四个申请周年日支付第一笔续期费用，随后在每个专利申请周年日到期时都需支付相应的续期费用，直至20年的专利保护期满。续期费用根据续期年限的不同而有所差异，具体而言，20年期限内的第4-10年费用为450元港币/年，第11-15年为620元港币/年，第16-20年为850元港币/年。

表1 香港专利的主要形式对比

 
标准专利
原授标准专利 | 转录标准专利
短期专利

保护对象

具有较长开发／商品化期的发明

具有较短开发／商品化期的发明

最长保护期

（按时缴付续期费的情况下）

 20年

8年

一般要求

 新颖性、创造性及工业实用性的发明

每项专利申请的权利要求的数目限制

无上限

不多于2项独立权利要求

提交申请前的要求
无

就同一发明在香港特区

以外的一个指定专利当局

提交一项相应专利申请

无

形式审查要求

 授予专利的强制性条件

实质审查要求
授予专利权的强制性条件

无需强制进行实质审查，

授予专利权的前提为相应

专利已获得有关指定专利当局的授权

无需强制进行实质审查，

专利权人或第三方可在专利

授权后请求进行实质审查
* 官方检索报告根据审查标准给出官方意见

转录标准专利

除了原授标准专利，香港还提供转录标准专利。这种专利需要在指定的专利局[即中国国家知识产权局、英国知识产权局或欧洲专利局（就指定英国的专利申请而言）之一]进行申请或授权后，再在香港进行转录，其保护期限同样为20年。转录标准专利的形式审查由香港知识产权署负责，实质审查则由指定的专利局进行。转录标准专利的申请官费包括：记录指定专利申请的费用为275元港币，公告费为68元港币；请求注册指定专利和授予转录标准专利的费用为275元港币，公告费为68元港币。转录标准专利的续期费用的支付方式与原授标准专利相似，需在请求记录后在指定专利的第四个周年日支付第一笔续期费用，之后也需按期支付，直至保护期满。

短期专利

香港短期专利的保护期限为8年，其申请过程相对简单，无需预先申请或授权，每个申请中的独立权利要求不得超过两项。短期专利的形式审查由香港知识产权署负责，实质审查可以由专利权人在需要行使专利权时请求，亦可由第三方在需要时请求。为保持短期专利的有效性，专利持有者需在专利申请提交日期的第四年届满前缴纳续期费用，以便将专利有效期延长4年

表2 香港专利的维持及续期

表格描述

官方费用（HK$）

在标准专利第3年届满后请求再续期一年的续期请求

 

20年期内的第4至10年

$450

20年期内的第11至15年

$620

20年期内的第16至20年

$850

逾期缴付标准专利的续期费的附加费

$270

短期专利的续期

$1,080

逾期缴付短期专利的续期费的附加费

$270

香港专利：全球卓越地位，知识产权保护的理想之地

在全球知识产权保护舞台上，香港的新专利制度独树一帜，为创新者提供了卓越的知识产权保护选择。相较于澳门和台湾，香港知识产权制度的适用性更为广泛，吸引了众多国际企业和个人的目光，香港也成为其主要的知识产权保护目的地之一。
香港，作为中国的特别行政区，不仅拥有独立的法律体系，更通过中国向世界知识产权组织（WIPO）总干事的通知，确立了《专利合作条约》（PCT）和《巴黎公约》的适用性。这不仅巩固了香港在知识产权保护领域的重要地位，更为全球创新者提供了一个稳定可靠的保护平台。PCT为创新者提供了一条高效、便捷的跨国专利申请途径，允许申请人通过单一申请在多个国家和地区寻求专利保护，极大地简化了跨国专利申请的复杂性，降低了成本，加快了创新成果的全球布局。而《巴黎公约》则致力于保护发明家的权益，确保发明者在首次申请专利后的一定期限内，在其他成员国能够享有同等的保护权利，促进了知识产权的国际保护，增强了全球创新的活力。香港对这些国际协议的广泛适用，为国际申请人提供了更加便捷的专利申请和保护途径。
作为世界贸易组织（WTO）的成员，香港的专利保护制度也受到了国际贸易规则的支持和保障。这意味着在香港获得的专利保护不仅具有域内效力，还能够得到国际贸易体系的认可和保护，使专利权人能够在全球市场上更加安心地展示其创新成果并有效保护其知识产权，为广大企业和个人提供了更大的信心和保障。
此外，香港的新专利制度为国际申请人提供了短期专利申请这一独特选择。根据《专利合作条约》的规定，如果申请人已经提出了一项国际申请并指定了中国，其还可以在该国际申请已进入中国的国家阶段后，在香港特区提交一项短期专利申请。这为发明或实用新型专利提供了一种快速有效的保护方式，使创新者能够在市场上占据先机。
综上所述，香港的新专利制度以其全球卓越地位和灵活多样的保护机制，为企业和个人提供了更加便捷和高效的专利申请和保护机制，从而成为创新者寻求知识产权保护的具有突出优势的地区之一。

表3 香港专利享受卓越地位

地区/条目

专利合作条约(PCT)

巴黎公约

世界贸易组织(WTO)

中国香港

适用

适用

适用

中国澳门

不适用

适用

适用

中国台湾

不适用

不适用

适用
*中国已通知世界知识产权组织（WIPO）总干事，巴黎公约和专利合作条约也适用于中华人民共和国香港特别行政区。
**中国已通知世界知识产权组织（WIPO）总干事，巴黎公约也适用于中华人民共和国澳门特别行政区。

香港短期专利：与中国内地实用新型及美国临时专利的比较

与中国内地的实用新型专利和美国的临时专利相比，香港短期专利具有诸多特殊特点和优势。
第一，在保护期限方面，香港短期专利的保护期限为8年，而中国内地的实用新型专利的保护期限为10年。尽管香港的短期专利保护期限较短，但这恰好满足了部分创新者的需求。在创新迭代迅速的当下，较短的保护期限能够更灵活地适应市场变化和技术迭代的节奏。
第二，在发明主题方面，香港短期专利对发明主题没有限制，而中国内地的实用新型专利主要关注产品的形状、构造或其结合。这意味着香港的短期专利适用范围更为广泛，能够覆盖更多类型的创新成果，为创新者提供更全面的保护。
第三，在权利要求数目上，香港短期专利要求独立权利要求不得超过两项，而中国内地的实用新型专利对权利要求数目没有限制。短期专利的权利范围虽然在一定程度上被限制，但这也促使创新者更加精确地界定和保护其核心发明。
第四，在实质审查方面，香港短期专利要求在行使专利权前进行实质审查，而中国内地的实用新型专利则不进行实质审查。实质审查能够确保专利的有效性和创新性，增强专利的可靠性和权威性，为创新者提供更加坚实的知识产权保障。

表4 香港短期专利与内地实用新型比较

 

香港短期专利

内地实用新型

保护期限

8年

10年

发明主题

不限

产品的形状、构造或者其结合

权利要求数目

不超过2项独立权利要求

不限

实质审查

行使专利权之前，必须进行实质审查

不适用

创造性要求

与标准专利相同

与发明专利不同，较低

发明专利与实用新型同日申请

不允许

允许
与美国临时专利相比，香港短期专利的申请流程相对简单。香港短期专利可通过《巴黎公约》和PCT途径获得有效优先权，申请所需文件包括专利说明书和官方检索报告（可稍后提交），满足形式审查要求，一般几个月内就可以批予，这对于希望迅速获得专利权并开始商业活动的申请人来说是一个重要优势。美国临时专利的申请虽然也简单，但它不会直接转变为专利保护，而是需要在12个月内提交非临时申请，否则将自动失效，且申请本身不能要求任何其他申请的优先权。此外，相比美国临时申请随后的非临时专利申请所涉及的更高费用而言，香港短期专利的申请费用和续期费用相对较低，使得创新者能够更轻松地获得和维持专利权。再者，香港短期专利可以作为国际申请的基础，通过PCT及巴黎公约途径在全球范围内获得保护。虽然美国临时专利也具有建立优先权的作用，但需要在1年内转化为正式专利，否则其确立的优先权也随之失效。相比之下，香港短期专利的灵活性更高，更适合那些需要快速响应市场变化的创新者。
综上所述，香港短期专利在知识产权保护方面具备保护期限适中、适用范围广泛、申请流程简化、费用相对较低且可以请求实质审查等独特优势，为创新成果提供了可靠的法律保护，从而成为创新者的一种便捷且高效的知识产权保护选择；无论对于有意在香港、中国内地还是国际市场开拓业务的市场主体与知识产权权利人而言，香港专利制度都是其可资利用的重要知识产权保护手段。

表5 香港短期专利与美国临时专利的比较

 

香港短期专利

美国临时专利申请

有效的巴黎公约优先权

是

是

有效的专利合作条约优先权

是

是

所需文档

a) 专利说明书
b) 官方检索报告*（可在申请日之后提交）

发明描述（权利要求不必同时提交）

可接受的文件语言

英语/中文

英语

可接受的文件语言

英语/中文

英语

专利权期限

从申请日起最多8年

无（需在12个月内提交相应的非临时申请，然后进行审查）

成本

低

高
* 官方检索报告根据审查标准给出官方意见

在香港申请专利的关键要求

申请人若有意向在香港提交专利申请，应确保遵循以下重要规定，以保障申请流程顺利进行并获得有效保护。
语言选择的灵活性：在香港申请专利时，申请人拥有选择申请文件语言的权利，包括使用中文（简体或繁体均可）或英文撰写等。
独立的申请程序：申请人即使已在其他国家或中国内地提交了专利申请，也不意味着其发明将自动在香港受到保护。申请人若希望在香港享有专利权益，则必须在香港知识产权署独立提交专利申请。
优先权的利用：申请人若已在中国内地提交了专利申请，则可以利用该申请作为优先权基础，在香港提交首次申请并享受优先权。这得益于香港特别行政区所适用的国际知识产权条约，如《巴黎公约》等。
PCT申请的特殊处理：PCT申请本身并不能直接转化为香港的专利。申请人需在PCT进入中国内地国家阶段的6个月内，在香港知识产权署提交短期专利申请；或在PCT进入指定专利局国家阶段的公开日起6个月内，向香港知识产权署请求记录转录标准专利申请。
保密审查的必要性：对于中国内地的申请人及在中国内地完成的发明创造而言，申请人若计划向香港或其他外国申请专利的，必须遵循中国内地的保密审查程序。根据相关法律，这类申请需事先通过国务院专利行政部门的保密审查。对于向PCT中国受理局提交PCT申请的，视为同时提出了保密审查请求。
如有任何疑问或需要进一步了解申请流程和规定，建议申请人咨询香港知识产权署或经验丰富的知识产权顾问。

从香港出发：申请发明保护的独特优势

香港这座国际大都市不仅拥有世界一流的商业氛围，在知识产权保护方面也展现出独特的优势。以下是在香港申请发明保护的几大亮点。
费用亲民，续期便捷：相较于其他国际城市，香港的专利申请和续期费用相对亲民。这意味着创新者可以在有限的预算内，为自己的发明提供长期而有效的保护。
快速确立优先权：在香港提交申请后，申请人可以迅速确立优先权，为日后在全球范围内申请专利奠定坚实基础。这一点在知识更新迅速、竞争激烈的当下尤为重要。
形式审查，流程简化：香港的专利申请流程相对简化，主要以形式审查为主。这不仅降低了申请的技术门槛，也使得整个过程更加高效、便捷。
后置审查，快速授权：香港短期专利的后置实质审查使得创新者有机会在申请后2个月左右即取得专利证书，这一高效的处理速度使得创新者能够更快地将其创新成果转化为市场竞争力。
政府资助，助力创新：香港特别行政区政府通过多种资助计划，如专利申请资助计划（PAG）和发展品牌、升级转型及拓展内销市场的专项基金（BUD专项基金），为创新者提供资金支持。这不仅减轻了创新者的经济负担，也为其创新之路提供了强大的后盾。
综上所述，从香港出发申请发明保护具有诸多独特优势，香港是创新者申请发明保护的理想之地。如果您希望为自己的发明提供坚实的知识产权保护并在全球范围内获得竞争优势，从香港开始专利申请无疑是一个明智的选择。

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Ref: https://www.itf.gov.hk/sc/funding-programmes/fostering-culture/pag/index.html

Today, we celebrate the World Intellectual Property Day! World Intellectual Property Day – April 26th

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Today, we celebrate the World Intellectual Property Day! World Intellectual Property Day – April 26th

#WIPODay #WorldIntellectualPropertyDay

In the year 2000, the member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) designated April 26th, the day when the WIPO Convention took effect in 1970, as World Intellectual Property Day. The objective was to enhance the general comprehension of intellectual property. Since its inception, World IP Day has served as an annual, exceptional platform for people worldwide to reflect on how intellectual property fuels the prosperity of music and the arts, as well as propels technological advancements that mold our world.

World IP Day 2024 - IP and the SDGs: Building our common future with innovation and creativity

World Intellectual Property Day 2024 offers a unique chance to delve into how intellectual property not only inspires but also multiplies the influence of the groundbreaking and imaginative solutions vital for shaping our shared future. To learn more about this celebration, you may explore https://www.wipo.int/web/ipday/.

Happy World Intellectual Property Day!