Patent law and practice in China commenced a significant adjustment at the outset of 2024. China’s State Council released its latest revision of the Implementing Regulations of the Patent Law in December 2023, and at the same time, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released its comprehensive revision of the Patent Examination Guidelines. The revised Regulations and Guidelines became effective on January 20, 2024, and they were intended to make significant changes toward enhancing patent quality, increasing examination efficiency, and strengthening patent protection. Among the changes being watched most closely inside and outside China are the principle of good faith, the preliminary examination of utility models, and the impact of Patent Term Extension. Moreover, the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election is likely to have vast influence over China-U.S. relations, including trade agreements that impact patent laws and practice.

Full Article Available Here