• Patent fees

Fees associated with filing patent applications in Hong Kong, as well as other patent fees, are available in the fee calculator.

• The term for filing a patent application in Hong Kong

• Filing requirements for request to record (stage 1) and request for registration and grant (stage 2) in Hong Kong

• Filing requirements for a standard patent application (Original Patent Grant System)

• Language of the patent application 

A Hong Kong patent application must be filed in one of the official languages, i.e. English or Chinese. However, the title of the invention together with the abstract has to be provided in English and Chinese. The translation of the title of the invention and/or the abstract into the official language can be filed at a later stage with additional attorney fee.

• Declaration of inventorship

If the applicant is not the inventor, a Hong Kong original grant standard patent application should include a statement indicating the applicant’s entitlement to apply for a patent.

• Power of Attorney requirements

No Power of Attorney is required for filing a patent application in Hong Kong.

• Substantive examination request

Re-registration patent system: The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (IPD) does not conduct substantive examination of the novelty or inventiveness of an invention filed via the re-registration system.

Original grant patent system: Applications for standard patents filed via the Original Patent Grant System are formally and substantively examined by the Hong Kong Patent Office. The substantive examination should be requested within 3 years after the filing date of the application or the earliest priority date (if applicable).

• Grant and maintenance fees

Original Patent System: Standard Patent Applications (Original Patents) are granted upon successful completion of the substantive examination and valid for 20 years as of the filing date. The first renewal fee is payable 3 years from the anniversary of the filing date first occurring after the grant of the Hong Kong patent, and subsequent renewal fees are payable annually thereafter throughout the patent term.

Re-registration system: When the formal examination procedure is successfully completed, the IPD grants a standard patent for an invention, publishes details of the granted patent and issues a notice in the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Journal.

The first renewal fee is payable 3 years from the anniversary of the designated application date first occurring after the grant of the Hong Kong patent, and subsequent renewal fees are payable annually thereafter throughout the patent term.

However, if a standard patent has not been granted within five years from the filing date of the designated application occurring after the publication of the Hong Kong standard patent application, the applicant shall pay maintenance fee annually starting from the 6th year to keep the application in force until a request for registration and grant is filed. Subsequent renewal fees are payable annually thereafter throughout the patent term.

• Representation by a patent attorney

Foreign applicants should perform patent prosecution in Hong Kong through an agent/individual, who resides or carries on business activities on the premises at the address in Hong Kong.

• Notes

1. Online Database for Hong Kong Patents Search.
2. Inventions may also be protected as short-term patents in Hong Kong. A short-term patent is a way to protect invention with a shorter validity term (8 years in total). A short-term patent application can be filed directly with Hong Kong IPD. The grant of a short-term patent in Hong Kong is based on a search report from an international searching authority or one of the three designated patent offices (CNIPA, UKIPO, EPO designating UK). A short-term patent application may include up to two independent claim.

The information was verified by BARRON & YOUNG INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY on 14.02.2025
Please contact us if the above information is not in conformity with Hong Kong IP Laws