The annual application for patent subsidies in Hunan Province kicked off.

Hunan Provincial Intellectual Property Office claimed that the application deadline has been extended from Aug.20 to Aug.30. The funds will only be granted to owners of domestic patent whose authorization date or national review date (for PCT applications) should fall into the period from October 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

In a bid to enhance the intellectual property protection, promote indigenous innovations and boost economic growth, Hunan has started offering its local enterprises, institutions and individuals with patent subsidies since 2004.

Examined by the provincial intellectual property office and finance bureau, holders of domestically granted patents or PCT applications being reviewed by international patent organizations or overseas government authorities are qualified to apply for the subventions.

It is learnt that every domestic service patent can be funded with 3,000 yuan; while each patent for utility model or design can get 400 yuan.

For international service patents filed under the PCT, each will be offered with 10 thousand yuan. However, the maximum supporting amount for each international patent can not exceed 50 thousand yuan.

Meanwhile, non-service patents can only enjoy half of the funding amount of service patents.

Furthermore, government will not provide funds to patents in dispute or those which have ever won the funding before.

(Source:IPR in China)