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A Patent Application is your formal request to protect a new invention in Hong Kong. When you file one with the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department, you're seeking exclusive rights to make, use, and sell your innovation for up to 20 years. The application must detail how your invention works and what makes it unique compared to existing technologies.

Standard Patents in Hong Kong follow a "re-registration" system based on patents granted by three designated offices: China, United Kingdom, or European Patent Office. You'll need to submit technical drawings, specifications, and claims that clearly explain your invention's novel features. Getting professional help from a patent attorney can improve your chances of approval.

File a Patent Application immediately when you develop a new invention, manufacturing process, or technological solution. Time is critical - if someone else files a similar patent first, you could lose your rights completely. This is especially important in Hong Kong's competitive tech and manufacturing sectors, where innovations move quickly from concept to market.

Many businesses file patents when preparing to launch new products, enter licensing agreements, or attract investors. The application safeguards your intellectual property while you develop your commercial strategy. For Hong Kong companies doing business in mainland China, securing patent protection early helps prevent copying and maintains your competitive advantage in both markets.

• Standard Patent Application: The main type in Hong Kong, requiring a prior patent grant from China, UK, or European Patent Office. Valid for up to 20 years.
• Short-term Patent Application: A faster 8-year protection option requiring only one independent claim. Ideal for products with shorter market lifecycles.
• Provisional Patent Application: Establishes an early filing date while you develop your invention further. Must be converted to a standard application within 12 months.
• PCT International Application: Lets you seek patent protection in multiple countries, including Hong Kong, through a single filing.

• Inventors: Individual creators, research teams, or companies who develop new technologies and seek protection for their innovations in Hong Kong.
• Patent Attorneys: Legal specialists who draft applications, ensure technical descriptions meet legal requirements, and guide clients through the registration process.
• Hong Kong IPD Officials: Government examiners who review Patent Applications and determine if they meet patentability criteria.
• Business Stakeholders: Company directors, investors, and licensing partners who rely on patent protection to commercialize inventions.
• Technical Experts: Engineers and scientists who help describe inventions in sufficient detail for patent specifications.

• Prior Art Search: Research existing patents and publications to confirm your invention's novelty using Hong Kong IPD databases.
• Technical Documentation: Prepare detailed drawings, diagrams, and descriptions explaining how your invention works and its unique features.
• Claims Drafting: Define the specific aspects of your invention you want to protect, starting with the broadest claim first.
• Invention Details: Document when and how the invention was created, including any test results or prototypes.
• Filing Strategy: Decide between standard or short-term patent routes, considering your commercialization timeline and budget.
• Supporting Evidence: Gather proof of inventorship, development records, and any commercial potential documentation.

• Invention Title: Clear, specific name describing the core innovation in both English and Chinese.
• Technical Field: Brief description of the technology area and practical application of the invention.
• Background Art: Overview of existing solutions and their limitations that your invention addresses.
• Detailed Description: Complete explanation of how to make and use the invention, with reference to drawings.
• Claims Section: Precise legal statements defining the scope of protection sought, starting with independent claims.
• Abstract: Concise summary of the technical disclosure, limited to 250 words.
• Drawings: Clear technical illustrations with numbered references matching the description.

A Patent Application is often confused with a Patent Knowhow Licence, but they serve fundamentally different purposes in protecting intellectual property. Here are the key distinctions:

• Legal Protection vs. Commercial Use: A Patent Application seeks government-granted exclusive rights to an invention, while a Patent Knowhow Licence allows others to use your existing patented technology.
• Timing and Duration: Patent Applications must be filed before public disclosure and provide up to 20 years of protection. Licensing agreements can be made anytime after patent grant and have flexible duration terms.
• Documentation Requirements: Applications need detailed technical specifications and claims, while licences focus on commercial terms, payment structures, and usage rights.
• Primary Audience: Applications are reviewed by government patent examiners, while licences are negotiated between business parties.