On June 6, 2024, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) announced the launch of China-Africa Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) allowing for accelerated examination of patent applications in one jurisdiction based on work product in the other jurisdiction. The pilot will start June 8, 2024 and extend for five years to June 7, 2029.
Category: Patents
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration to Revise Patent Certificates
Published on May 16, 2024 and effective June 1, 2024, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued the Announcement of the State Intellectual Property Office on the Revision of Patent Certificates (No. 581) (国家知识产权局关于专利证书改版的公告（第581号)). Per CNIPA, the “new version of the patent certificate follows the A4 vertical format, and optimizes and adjusts the layout of the recorded matters.” Based on samples provided by CNIPA, it appears that the new version will include both the applicant(s) and the inventor(s) at the …
China’s Supreme People’s Court Releases Summary of the Supreme People’s Court’s Annual Report on Legal Application in Intellectual Property Cases (2023)
On April 24, 2024, China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) released the Summary of the Supreme People’s Court’s Annual Report on Legal Application in Intellectual Property Cases (2023) (最高人民法院知识产权案件法律适用问题年度报告（2023）摘要). The annual report “sorts out the following 41 legal application issues from the intellectual property cases concluded by the Supreme People’s Court in 2023.” While not black letter law in the common law sense, the judgements may be intended to be influential among lower courts.
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration Releases Typical Cases of Administrative Enforcement – Patent
On April 26, 2024, China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) released the 2023 Typical Cases of Administrative Enforcement (2023年度知识产权行政保护典型案例). The 30 cases covers patents, trademarks and geographical indications. Administrative enforcement in China provides an alternative to enforcement through the court system and can be faster and less expensive than going to trial. However, while damages are unavailable defendants can be fined.