As reported by IPRlearn on March 30, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) is now cross-referencing income, tax payments, and other records when patent applicants apply for fee reductions based on income. Corporate and individual applicants are entitled to an 85% fee reduction when annual income is less than 1 million RMB (~$145 thousand) or 60 thousand RMB (~$8,700), respectively. The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office may want to consider implementing something similar to reduce false assertions of micro …
Category: Patents
CNIPA Warns Against Using AI Agents Including OpenClaw in Drafting Patent Application Documents
On March 31, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued a warning against using AI agents, such an OpenClaw, in drafting patent application documents (关于使用OpenClaw等智能体撰写专利申请文件的风险提示). Further, unauthorized use by patent agencies should be reported. CNIPA says using agents may lead to technical information leakage, substantial defects including AI hallucinations, and dishonest (bad faith) applications.
CNIPA March 2026 Press Conference: CNIPA Joining with Ministry of Public Security in Patent Agency Rectification Campaign
In late 2025, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) joined forces with the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration for Market Regulation to launch a rectification campaign targeting illegal and irregular practices across the patent and trademark agency industry. At a March 23, 2026 press conference, CNIPA Deputy Director Hu Wenhui outlined the campaign’s results after its first three months.
CNIPA Releases Draft Amendments to the Measures for the Administration of Patent Priority Examination
On February 26, 2026, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the Draft Amendments to the Measures for the Administration of Patent Priority Examination for comment (专利优先审查管理办法修改草案（征求意见稿)). However, despite Article 3 of Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights requiring national treatment, the Draft does not rectify the earlier version to provide a mechanism for foreigners to request priority examination.