DURATION

When a patent application (Invention, Utility Model or Design) is allowed, the applicant must pay the issue fee and the first annuity within three months following the receipt date of the allowance decision.  After the issue fee and the first annuity have been paid, the application is published and patent right is granted from the publication date.  The patent right for an Invention expires on the date 20 years (10 years for an Utility Model; 15 years for a Design) following the application date.