The patent law in Hong Kong is based on the Hong Kong Patents Ordinance of 27 June 1997, as last amended on 22 February 2008. The Hong Kong patent system is independent from the patent system in the People's Republic of China

People's Republic of China

China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

 (PRC), in that a "patent granted for Hong Kong SAR takes effect in Hong Kong only and does not provide for protection in the People's Republic of China (PRC)".

Two types of patents for inventions are available in Hong Kong. A so-called standard patent in Hong Kong "can be based on a European patent application, or an application seeking patent protection in the PRC or the United Kingdom (UK)". Short-term patents are also available. Such patents have a maximum term

Term of patent

The term of a patent is the maximum period during which it can be maintained into force. It is usually expressed in number of years either starting from the filing date of the patent application or from the date of grant of the patent. In most patent laws, renewal annuities or maintenance fees have...

of eight years from the filing date.

External links

• Patents, at the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Intellectual Property Department