Significant rise in official fee and annuity for patent as of January 1, 2002 The Ministry of Economic Affairs (“MOEA”) will adjust official fees and annuities for patents as of January 1, 2002. Averagely, official fees will be doubled and the limit of rise in patent annuities is more than 40%. The high-tech manufacturers are very concerned about the significant rise in patent official fees and annuities which have not been adjusted for past eleven years.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs (“MOEA”) will adjust official fees and annuities for patents as of January 1, 2002.  Averagely, official fees will be doubled and the limit of rise in patent annuities is more than 40%.  The high-tech manufacturers are very concerned about the significant rise in patent official fees and annuities which have not been adjusted for past eleven years.

 

According to the MOEA, the Executive Yuan has announced on November 21, 2001 that patent official fees and annuities would be adjusted as patent official fees have not been adjusted for eleven years and examination fees cost a lot.  However, the MOEA also highlighted that they will review the new adjustment after performing it for one year.

The new standard applied to patent official fees and annuities is as following:

(1)         Filing fees for “invention” patent applications to be raised from NT$3,500 to NT$6,000;

(2)         Filing fees for “utility model” patent applications to be raised from NT$2,000 to NT$4,500

(3)         Filing fees for “new design” patent applications to be raised from NT$1,500 to NT$3,000.

   Additionally, new patent annuities will be raised drastically than ever.  The patent annuities were paid every five years in the past.  According to the new standard, patent annuities will be paid every three years and will be raised drastically.