This article a guest post by Xiao HAN (Ms.) and Haoyu (Elliot) ZHOU (Mr.). According to the Chinese Patent Law and practice, means-plus-function claims are interpreted differently at the time of Chinese patent prosecution and Chinese patent litigation. Basically, while “means-plus-function” claims are interpreted as “any means that could achieve the function” by examiner(s) during patent examination (i.e., a broad claim that is difficult to be granted), such claims are merely interpreted as “embodiments disclosed in the Specification, or equivalent …
China’s 4th Intellectual Property Law Court May Be Arriving Soon
According to a report in China’s IPRDaily.com, the 78th Chairman’s Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) suggesting reviewing the the Supreme People’s Court‘s proposal to establish the Hainan Free Trade Port Intellectual Property Court. The review would occur at the 24th meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing from December 22 to 26. If established, this would be the fourth Intellectual Property Court in China.
China National Intellectual Property Administration Closure Dates for 2021
On November 25, 2020, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China announced the holiday schedule for 2021 including for the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Patent deadlines are postponed to the next regular working day.
China Releases Draft Implementation Rules of the Patent Law
On November 27, 2020, the China National Intellectual Property Administration released the draft implementation rules for the amended Patent Law (专利法实施细则修改建议（征求意见稿)). The draft rules cover changes required to implement the amended patent law, including patent term extension and adjustment, partial design patents, open licensing system and other areas. The draft rules also add the right to restore priority.