Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a dynamic IP hub in Asia, with patents managed by the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) of HKSAR.

Patent Protection in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a dynamic intellectual property hub in Asia, with a patent system administered by the Intellectual Property Department (IPD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It operates under a “re-registration” regime closely tied to filings in China and the United Kingdom, as well as its own original grant patent (OGP) system introduced in 2019.

Applicants benefit from Hong Kong’s robust common law framework, internationally recognized enforcement mechanisms, and its position as a strategic bridge between Mainland China and the global market.

Why File in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong (≈7.5 M people as of mid-2023) is one of the world’s leading financial centres and a gateway into Mainland China.
Stable legal system with free flow of information supporting business confidence.
Zero VAT and no customs tariffs on most goods, attractive for IP owners in licensing, franchising, and technology transfer.
Extensive regional and global trade and logistics connectivity.
Reduced corporate tax rates on qualifying IP income, boosting after-tax returns for innovators.
Low-cost re-registration system, among the most affordable in Asia, especially for patents from Europe (designating UK), UK, or China.

Hong Kong Patent System Overview

If you want to learn more about Voyage IP’s Hong Kong service offering, please contact us here.
Government Agency Responsible for
Patent Registration
Patent registration is administered by the The Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department (HKIPD)
Patent Examination
Official Language
Chinese and English

Hong Kong Patent Filing Statistics

Source: Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department
Major international treaties
Paris Convention
Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS)

Types of Patents

A Standard Patent in Hong Kong lasts 20 years from filing, offering inventors strong protection for their innovations.
Patent Type
term
remarks
Standard (R) Patent (Re-Registration System)
20 years from filing
Granted by re-registering patents from the UK, Europe, or China.
Standard (O) Patent (Original Grant Patent System)
20 years from filing
Direct filing since Dec 2019, examined by HKIPD.
Short-Term Patent
8 years from filing
Granted quickly, examined only if enforced.

Significant Prosecution Deadlines

Hong Kong is a leading intellectual property hub in Asia, offering a transparent, efficient, and internationally harmonised patent system.
EVENT
DEADLINE
Request to Record (Stage 1)
6 months from the publication date of the designated CN, EP, or UK application
Registration and Grant (Stage 2)
6 months from the grant date of the designated CN, EP, or UK application
Paris Convention
12 months from earliest priority date
Substantive Examination
3 years from earliest priority date
Divisional Application
Voluntary divisional application allowed anytime during pendency of the application

Availability of Prefiling Grace Period

A restricted 6-month grace period is available for disclosures made in an evident abuse in relation to the applicant or any proprietor of the invention or disclosures by the applicant or any proprietor of the invention displaying it at a prescribed exhibition or meeting.

Filing Formalities

Hong Kong Original Grant Patent (O) Application

Document/action
Required?
deadline to submit
certification/legalization required?
extension of time available?
Power of Attorney
No
-
-
-
Translation of Application to Chinese or English
Yes
At filing
No
No
Certified Priority Document Required
Yes
16 months from earliest priority date
-
-

Hong Kong Patent (R) Application

Document/action
Required?
deadline to submit
certification/legalization required?
extension of time available?
Power of Attorney
No
-
-
-
Title & Abstracted Provided in Chinese and English
Yes
At filing
No
No
Certified Priority Document Required
No
-
-
-

Subject Matter Eligibility

Excluded subject matter includes:
Discoveries, scientific theories, 
and mathematical methods.
Business methods and schemes.
Presentations of information.
Methods for treatment of humans or animals.
Inventions contrary to public order or morality.
Additional Things to Consider:
Applicants should carefully draft claims toavoid exclusions, especially in fintech, software, and biotech sectors.
Local counsel confirmation may be required for recent procedural updates.

Need Help or a
Cost Estimate?

Have questions or require a cost estimate? Please contact us here.