There are three types of patents stipulated in China's Patent Law: invention patents, utility model patents, and design patents.

Invention - refers to a new technical solution proposed for a product, method, or improvement thereof. The system of early disclosure and delayed examination is implemented for invention patent applications, with a protection period of 20 years, starting from the date of application.

The examination system for invention patents is relatively strict, and the protection period is relatively long. Therefore, invention patents are generally applied for for inventions with significant innovation in products or methods of manufacturing products, methods of controlling products, and methods of use.

Utility model refers to a new technical solution proposed for the shape, structure, or combination of a product that is suitable for practical use. The preliminary examination system is implemented for utility model patent applications, with a protection period of ten years, starting from the date of application.

Applying for a utility model patent generally involves minor improvements in the shape, structure, and combination of the product.

Appearance design refers to a new design that is aesthetically pleasing and suitable for industrial applications, which is made by combining the shape, pattern, or their combination, as well as the combination of color, shape, and pattern of a product. The preliminary examination system is implemented for appearance design, and the protection period is fifteen years, starting from the date of application.