When TIPO sends you a notification of reasons for refusal, you are given an opportunity to respond to it. The deadline to respond is 2 months for applicants residing in the ROC and 3 months for applicants residing in other countries. You should respond by submitting a written argument or a written amendment, depending on the situation. If you don’t respond before the deadline, TIPO will render a refusal decision.

Before the specified time period ends, the applicant may request an extension. The time period of the extension is also 2 months for applicants residing in the ROC and 3 months for applicants residing in other countries.

A design patent applicant dissatisfied with a decision of refusal may provide reason(s) to request a reexamination within 2 months after the date on which the decision of refusal is served.

An invention patent is granted for a term which begins with the publication date of the grant and ends 20 years from the filing date of the patent application.

A utility model patent is granted for a term which begins with the publication date of the grant and ends 10 years from the filing date of the patent application.

A design patent is granted for a term which begins with the publication date of the grant and ends 15 years from the filing date of the patent application.