Taiwan

Two types of patent applications can be filed in Taiwan.  One is an invention patent application.  The other is a utility model application.

For invention patent application, once the application is filed, a formality check is performed.  If it contains no elements that may be deemed unsuitable for publication through examination, it shall be published in 18 months after the filing date.  Substantive examination will then be proceeded  upon a request filed by the applicant.  If the application is not rejected, it will be published and granted patent right.

For utility model patent application, after it is filed, it will undergo a formality check and formality examination.  If the application passes both, then it will be published and granted.

The term of an invention patent shall expire after a period of twenty (20) years from the filing date of the application.

The term of a utility model patent shall expire after a period of ten (10) years from the filing date of the application.