1, with different performance.

Invention patents are novel, creative and practical. The creativity and technical level of utility model are lower than that of invention patent, but it has great practical value.

2. The objects to be protected are different.

An invention patent protects an improved product, method or new technical scheme. The utility model patent only protects the shape and structure of the product, or a new technical scheme suitable for practical use put forward by combining the two.

3. The approval procedures are different.

The examination and approval procedure of an application for a patent for invention includes five stages: acceptance, preliminary examination, publication, actual examination and authorization. When examining and approving an application for a patent for utility model, there are only three stages: acceptance, preliminary examination and authorization.

4. The review cycle is different.

General utility model patents can get patent certificates in about half a year, and invention patents can get patent certificates in about one and a half years, because the technical fields of invention patents are wider, and the review period of different technical fields is quite different, and some technical fields may take 2-3 years or even longer.

5. The protection period is different.

Article 42 of the Patent Law stipulates that the term of the invention patent right is 20 years, and the term of the utility model patent right and the design patent right is 10 years, counting from the date of application.