China's New Guidelines for Patent Examination to Take Effect 20 January 2024

On 21 December 2023, the revised Guidelines for Patent Examination ("the Guidelines 2023") were published by the China National Intellectual Property Administration ("CNIPA"). The Guidelines 2023 were formulated on the basis of the new Implementing Regulations of the Chinese Patent Law, which have been promulgated in conjunction with the Guidelines 2023.

The Guidelines 2023 will replace the current Guidelines for Patent Examination published in 2010, which, together with relevant orders and announcements of the Chinese Patent Office, will be annulled upon the entry into force of the Guidelines 2023 on 20 January 2024.

Related link: Guidelines for Patent Examination (2023) (Chinese version)