The accepted applications are published in the Official Gazette and any interested party has the right to appeal to the Committee within 60 days as of the date of publication in the Official Gazette. In the absence of opposition, the letters-patent or the utility certificate is issued. A patent is valid for 15 years and renewable for a period of no more than 5 years. A utility certificate is valid for 10 years and is renewable for a period of no more than 5 years. Patents granted for process inventions relating to medicines, etc.
Annuities are to be paid during the final three months of each year of the protection period.
However, late payment of the annuities with a surcharge is allowed within 30 days from the lapse of the annuity due date. It is possible to pay the annual fees in advance to cover the whole or a part of the validity period in advance. Patents will not be granted for chemical inventions relating to foodstuffs, medical drugs or pharmaceuticals but the particular processes or methods by which such products are made are patentable. The right to a patent may be assigned or licensed. An assignment shall have no effect against third parties unless it has been recorded at the Patent Office and published in the Official Gazette.