Taiwan Intellectual Property Office has revised Patent Fees with effect from January 1, 2010. Now, in respect of invention patent applications the official fee towards substantive examination has been reduced by NTD 1,000 (from 8,000 to 7,000 NTD). But it shall be same only for up to 10 claims. For each additional claim an additional official fee of NTD 800 shall be charged. It is to be noted that deadline to seek substantive examination is 3 years from date of filing. Further as per the provision if any amendment in number of claims or even withdrawal of application is made before issuance of First Examination report, the excess official fee if any shall be refunded or demanded, depending upon number of claims, as the case maybe.
The renewal fees/ annuity have also been revised for Patents as well as designs. Now for Invention Patents, the renewal fee/ annuity in respect of 7th to 9th year has been reduced by NTD 1,000 and in respect of 10th year onwards the renewal fee/ annuity has been reduced by NTD 2,000. In respect of Utility model patents the renewal fee/ annuity in respect of the 4th to 9th year has been reduced by NTD 1,000 and in respect of 10th year onwards the renewal fee/ annuity has been reduced by NTD 10,000.
In respect of Design Patents, the renewal fee/ annuity has been reduced in respect of 4th to 6th year by NTD 1,500; further in respect of 7th to 9th year the renewal fee/ annuity has been reduced by NTD 4,000 and in respect of 10th year onwards the renewal fee/ annuity has been reduced by NTD 13,000.
