Pertinent information at a glance
1. Provisional Patent Application :
  • A relatively simple application which does not require listing of claims. This type of application is available in the USA only. No examination will be done for such application. Attorney time could be minimal if so desired. The provisional filing will however affect future "regular" application which must be made within 12 months from the date of the provisional filing. 
    • 2. PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty)
  • A treaty under which a single patent application filing may be made that will preserve the right to file separate patent applications in member countries (over 40) within 30 months from the date of the PCT filing. 
    • 3. Patent Terms :
  • In most cases, 20 years from the first filing date. 
    • 4. Usual budget for patents:
    • US regular patent: HK$250,000.-
    • Chinese patent: HK$50,000.-
    • Hong Kong short patent: HK$25,000.-
    • PCT registration fee: HK$15,000 (designating *ALL* states)


    The actual cost depends on the complexity of the technology , the number of claims, the preparation of the disclosure document as well as the attorney time needed in processing the application.