I would like to request a deferred examination for a Chinese invention application, hoping to postpone the examination as much as possible. Is there a way to do so? If yes, what is the maximum duration for which the examination can be deferred?
In China, deferred examination for an invention application can be requested when filing a substantive examination request. Therefore, it is possible to file the substantive examination request just before the deadline for doing so and simultaneously apply for a 3-year deferred examination. This approach allows the examination process to be postponed further. Specifically, a substantive examination request for an invention patent can be filed within 3 years from the application date (or the priority date, if applicable). The applicant may consider filing the request just before the 3-year deadline and simultaneously applying for a 3-year deferred examination. This way, the invention patent application can achieve a maximum deferred period of up to 6 years from the application date.
