13. What is the term of a patent?
The duration of a patent is 20 years from the filing date of the application. Prescribed annual fees need to be paid upon the grant of a patent to keep the patent in force.

There is a recent amendment to the Patents Act 1983 on the duration of a patent. The amendment which came into force on August 14, 2003, affects patent applications filed before August 1, 2001 and pending on that date and patents granted before August 1, 2001 and still in force on that date. The duration for such a patent will be:

• either 20 years from the filing date of the application
• or 15 years from the date of grant,

whichever term is longer.


14. What is the term of a utility innovation?
The duration of a certificate for a utility innovation is 10 years from the filing date of the application and is renewable for 2 consecutive terms of 5 years each.