The terms "patent application right" and "right to apply for patent" must not be confused as they differ in nature a…

专利申请权与申请专利的权利性质不同，转让程序也不同，两者不能混淆；

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Article 32. An applicant may withdraw his or its application for a patent at any time before the patent right is granted.

第三十二条申请人可以在被授予专利权之前随时撤回其专利申请。

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He is then typically granted the sole right to sell the product for 17-20 years from the time the patent application was filed.

ECONOMIST: Brains v bugs