As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong maintains an independent patent system under the constitutional framework of the nation. To secure patent protection in Hong Kong, a separate application is required, as mainland Chinese patents do not automatically extend to the region.

Here are the four routes to secure a patent in Hong Kong:

1 Standard Patent (Extension)

The most common approach leverages grants from three designated offices:

• China National IP Administration (CNIPA)
• European Patent Office (EPO)
• UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO)

Two-stage process:

1. Request for Recordal within 6 months of the designated application’s publication.
2. Request for Registration within 6 months of the designated patent’s grant.

Why choose this? Mirror the scope of your CN/EP/UK patent in Hong Kong efficiently.

2 Standard Patent (Original Grant)

File directly with HKIPD—no strict deadline, but:

Priority claims (e.g., from CN/EP applications) require filing within 12 months of the first filing.

3 Short-Term Patent

Ideal for faster protection (max. 8-year term). No general deadline, but priority claims (Paris Convention/PCT) must be filed in HK within 12 months.

4 Design Patent

File within 6 months of your first application in a Paris Convention/WTO member state. Key requirement: The design must be novel as of the priority date.

Standard vs. Short-Term Patent: Which Fits Your Strategy?

Standard patents (Extension) depend on designated office grants; Original Grant patents undergo HKIPD examination.

Pro Tip:

Align your strategy with business goals—extension for broad protection, short-term patents for speed, or designs for product aesthetics.