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<p class="MsoNormal">A US company has developed an improved version of a commonly used mechanical device. The company filed a provisional application in December 2023, and production will begin soon in China. To date, all disclosures have been under NDA to
get the production set up. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will file a PCT application in November.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am considering the following approach to get quick protection in China:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">File directly in China (simultaneously on the same day):<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in">1. A regular patent application and<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> 2. A Utility model application<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The utility model will be a direct filing in China, not a national phase entry of the to-be-filed PCT.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The utility model should be granted within 6-12 months.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The regular patent will take 3-5 years to grant.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once the regular patent is granted, we can keep both the regular patent and the utility model if there is no overlapping claim scope. If the claim scope overlaps, we would abandon the utility model to avoid double patenting.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Im consulting with local counsel on this matter, but I would appreciate any thoughts or feedback from the group, especially if anyone has done something similar.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Also, has anyone done something like this in Mexico or Germany?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks in advance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">[If this is not the right group for this question, please forward the message]<o:p></o:p></p>
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