CNIPA Issues Interim Measures for Handling Examination Related to Implementation of the Revised Patent Law and its Implementing Regulations

The new Implementing Regulations of the Chinese Patent Law ("the new Implementing Regulations") and the new Chinese Guidelines for Patent Examination were published on 21 December 2023 and will come into force on 20 January 2024. To ensure the smooth implementation of the latest revised Chinese Patent Law (implemented in June 2021) and the new Implementing Regulations, and to clarify the rules of application regarding provisions related to examination of patents before and after the entry into effect of the new Implementing Regulations, the China National Intellectual Property Administration ("CNIPA") has concurrently promulgated the Interim Measures for Handling Examination Related to Implementation of the Revised Patent Law and Implementing Regulations thereof ("the Interim Measures").

The Interim Measures will come into force on 20 January 2024, the same day when the new Implementing Regulations and the new Guidelines for Patent Examination enter into effect.