Question:
When may the substantive examination fee for a Chinese invention patent application be refunded?
Answer:
If the application has not entered substantive examination and the applicant voluntarily withdraws or abandons it, a full refund may be requested.
If substantive examination has begun, an applicant voluntarily withdrawing within the period for responding to the first office action may request a 50% refund, provided a response to that action has not already been filed.