Are Taiwanese invention patents and utility model patents subject to substantive examination?

Invention patents are substantively examined (for novelty, inventive step and industrial applicability) in Chinese Taipei.

Since 1 July 2004, utility model patents are examined only for compliance with formal requirements, and no longer substantively. However, once a utility model application has been published, anyone may ask the TIPO for a technical evaluation report which may serve as a technical reference or as a basis for revocation litigation.

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