中华人民共和国专利法

【法规分类号】111404199201
【标题】中华人民共和国专利法（修正）（附英文）
【时效性】已被修正
【颁布单位】全国人大常委会
【颁布日期】1984/03/12
【实施日期】1985/04/01
【失效日期】2001/07/01
【内容分类】工业、知识产权法
【文号】
【题注】（１９８４年３月１２日第六届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第四次会议通过根据１９９２年９月４日第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十七次会议《关于修改＜中华人民共和国专利法＞的决定》修正 2000年8月25日第九届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第十七次会议《关于修改〈中华人民共和国专利法〉的决定》将本文进行修改, 自2001年7月1日起施行。）
【正文】      
     目 录

    第一章  总  则
    第二章  授予专利权的条件
    第三章  专利的申请
    第四章  专利申请的审查和批准
    第五章  专利权的期限、终止和无效
    第六章  专利实施的强制许可
    第七章  专利权的保护
    第八章  附  则
    
     第一章 总 则

     第一条 为了保护发明创造专利权，鼓励发明创造，有利于发明创造的推广应用，促进科学技术的发展，适应社会主义现代化建设的需要，特制定本法。

     第二条 本法所称的发明创造是指发明、实用新型和外观设计。

     第三条 中华人民共和国专利局受理和审查专利申请，对符合本法规定的发明创造授予专利权。

     第四条 申请专利的发明创造涉及国家安全或者重大利益需要保密的，按照国家有关规定办理。

     第五条 对违反国家法律、社会公德或者妨害公共利益的发明创造，不授予专利权。

     第六条 执行本单位的任务或者主要是利用本单位的物质条件所完成的职务发明创造，申请专利的权利属于该单位；非职务发明创造，申请专利的权利属于发明人或者设计人。申请被批准后，全民所有制单位申请的，专利权归该单位持有；集体所有制单位或者个人申请的，专利权归该单位或者个人所有。

     在中国境内的外资企业和中外合资经营企业的工作人员完成的职务发明创造，申请专利的权利属于该企业；非职务发明创造，申请专利的权利属于发明人或者设计人。申请被批准后，专利权归申请的企业或者个人所有。

     专利权的所有人和持有人统称专利权人。

     第七条 对发明人或者设计人的非职务发明创造专利申请，任何单位或者个人不得压制。

     第八条 两个以上单位协作或者一个单位接受其他单位委托的研究、设计任务所完成的发明创造，除另有协议的以外，申请专利的权利属于完成或者共同完成的单位；申请被批准后，专利权归申请的单位所有或者持有。

     第九条 两个以上的申请人分别就同样的发明创造申请专利的，专利权授予最先申请的人。

     第十条 专利申请权和专利权可以转让。

     全民所有制单位转让专利申请权或者专利权的，必须经上级主管机关批准。

     中国单位或者个人向外国人转让专利申请权或者专利权的，必须经国务院有关主管部门批准。

     转让专利申请权或者专利权的，当事人必须订立书面合同，经专利局登记和公告后生效。

     第十一条 发明和实用新型专利权被授予后，除法律另有规定的以外，任何单位或者个人未经专利权人许可，不得为生产经营目的制造、使用、销售其专利产品，或者使用其专利方法以及使用、销售依照该专利方法直接获得的产品。

     外观设计专利权被授予后，任何单位或者个人未经专利权人许可，不得为生产经营目的制造、销售其外观设计专利产品。

     专利权被授予后，除法律另有规定的以外，专利权人有权阻止他人未经专利权人许可，为上两款所述用途进口其专利产品或者进口依照其专利方法直接获得的产品。

     第十二条 任何单位或者个人实施他人专利的，除本法第十四条规定的以外，都必须与专利权人订立书面实施许可合同，向专利权人支付专利使用费。被许可人无权允许合同规定以外的任何单位或者个人实施该专利。

     第十三条 发明专利申请公布后，申请人可以要求实施其发明的单位或者个人支付适当的费用。

     第十四条 国务院有关主管部门和省、自治区、直辖市人民政府根据国家计划，有权决定本系统内或者所管辖的全民所有制单位持有的重要发明创造专利允许指定的单位实施，由实施单位按照国家规定向持有专利权的单位支付使用费。

     中国集体所有制单位和个人的专利，对国家利益或者公共利益具有重大意义，需要推广应用的，由国务院有关主管部门报国务院批准后，参照上款规定办理。

     第十五条 专利权人有权在其专利产品或者该产品的包装上标明专利标记和专利号。

     第十六条 专利权的所有单位或者持有单位应当对职务发明创造的发明人或者设计人给予奖励；发明创造专利实施后，根据其推广应用的范围和取得的经济效益，对发明人或者设计人给予奖励。

     第十七条 发明人或者设计人有在专利文件中写明自己是发明人或者设计人的权利。

     第十八条 在中国没有经常居所或者营业所的外国人、外国企业或者外国其他组织在中国申请专利的，依照其所属国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或者依照互惠原则，根据本法办理。

     第十九条 在中国没有经常居所或者营业所的外国人、外国企业或者外国其他组织在中国申请专利和办理其他专利事务的，应当委托中华人民共和国国务院指定的专利代理机构办理。

     中国单位或者个人在国内申请专利和办理其他专利事务的，可以委托专利代理机构办理。

     第二十条 中国单位或者个人将其在国内完成的发明创造向外国申请专利的，应当首先向专利局申请专利，并经国务院有关主管部门同意后，委托国务院指定的专利代理机构办理。

     第二十一条 在专利申请公布或者公告前，专利局工作人员及有关人员对其内容负有保密责任。

     第二章 授予专利权的条件

     第二十二条 授予专利权的发明和实用新型，应当具备新颖性、创造性和实用性。

     新颖性，是指在申请日以前没有同样的发明或者实用新型在国内外出版物上公开发表过、在国内公开使用过或者以其他方式为公众所知，也没有同样的发明或者实用新型由他人向专利局提出过申请并且记载在申请日以后公布的专利申请文件中。

     创造性，是指同申请日以前已有的技术相比，该发明有突出的实质性特点和显著的进步，该实用新型有实质性特点和进步。

     实用性，是指该发明或者实用新型能够制造或者使用，并且能够产生积极效果。

     第二十三条 授予专利权的外观设计，应当同申请日以前在国内外出版物上公开发表过或者国内公开使用过的外观设计不相同或者不相近似。

     第二十四条 申请专利的发明创造在申请日以前六个月内，有下列情形之一的，不丧失新颖性：

     一、在中国政府主办或者承认的国际展览会上首次展出的；

     二、在规定的学术会议或者技术会议上首次发表的；

     三、他人未经申请人同意而泄露其内容的。

     第二十五条 对下列各项，不授予专利权：

     一、科学发现；

     二、智力活动的规则和方法；

     三、疾病的诊断和治疗方法；

     四、动物和植物品种；

     五、用原子核变换方法获得的物质。

     对上款第四项所列产品的生产方法，可以依照本法规定授予专利权。

     第三章 专利的申请

     第二十六条 申请发明或者实用新型专利的，应当提交请求书、说明书及其摘要和权利要求书等文件。

     请求书应当写明发明或者实用新型的名称，发明人或者设计人的姓名，申请人姓名或者名称、地址，以及其他事项。

     说明书应当对发明或者实用新型作出清楚、完整的说明，以所属技术领域的技术人员能够实现为准；必要的时候，应当有附图。摘要应当简要说明发明或者实用新型的技术要点。

     权利要求书应当以说明书为依据，说明要求专利保护的范围。

     第二十七条 申请外观设计专利的，应当提交请求书以及该外观设计的图片或者照片等文件，并且应当写明使用该外观设计的产品及其所属的类别。

     第二十八条 专利局收到专利申请文件之日为申请日。如果申请文件是邮寄的，以寄出的邮戳日为申请日。

     第二十九条 申请人自发明或者实用新型在外国第一次提出专利申请之日起十二个月内，或者自外观设计在外国第一次提出专利申请之日起六个月内，又在中国就相同主题提出专利申请的，依照该外国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或者依照相互承认优先权的原则，可以享有优先权。

     申请人自发明或者实用新型在中国第一次提出专利申请之日起十二个月内，又向专利局就相同主题提出专利申请的，可以享有优先权。

     第三十条 申请人要求优先权的，应当在申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交第一次提出的专利申请文件的副本；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交专利申请文件副本的，视为未要求优先权。

     第三十一条 一件发明或者实用新型专利申请应当限于一项发明或者实用新型。属于一个总的发明构思的两项以上的发明或者实用新型，可以作为一件申请提出。

     一件外观设计专利申请应当限于一种产品所使用的一项外观设计。用于同一类别并且成套出售或者使用的产品的两项以上的外观设计，可以作为一件申请提出。

     第三十二条 申请人可以在被授予专利权之前随时撤回其专利申请。

     第三十三条 申请人可以对其专利申请文件进行修改，但是，对发明和实用新型专利申请文件的修改不得超出原说明书和权利要求书记载的范围，对外观设计专利申请文件的修改不得超出原图片或者照片表示的范围。

     第四章 专利申请的审查和批准

     第三十四条 专利局收到发明专利申请后，经初步审查认为符合本法要求的，自申请日起满十八个月，即行公布。专利局可以根据申请人的请求早日公布其申请。

     第三十五条 发明专利申请自申请日起三年内，专利局可以根据申请人随时提出的请求，对其申请进行实质审查；申请人无正当理由逾期不请求实质审查的，该申请即被视为撤回。

     专利局认为必要的时候，可以自行对发明专利申请进行实质审查。

     第三十六条 发明专利的申请人请求实质审查的时候，应当提交在申请日前与其发明有关的参考资料。

     发明专利已经在外国提出过申请的，申请人请求实质审查的时候，应当提交该国为审查其申请进行检索的资料或者审查结果的资料；无正当理由不提交的，该申请即被视为撤回。

     第三十七条 专利局对发明专利申请进行实质审查后，认为不符合本法规定的，应当通知申请人，要求其在指定的期限内陈述意见，或者对其申请进行修改；无正当理由逾期不答复的，该申请即被视为撤回。

     第三十八条 发明专利申请经申请人陈述意见或者进行修改后，专利局仍然认为不符合本法规定的，应当予以驳回。

     第三十九条 发明专利申请经实质审查没有发现驳回理由的，专利局应当作出授予发明专利权的决定，发给发明专利证书，并予以登记和公告。

     第四十条 实用新型和外观设计专利申请经初步审查没有发现驳回理由的，专利局应当作出授予实用新型专利权或者外观设计专利权的决定，发给相应的专利证书，并予以登记和公告。

     第四十一条 自专利局公告授予专利权之日起六个月内，任何单位或者个人认为该专利权的授予不符合本法有关规定的，都可以请求专利局撤销该专利权。

     第四十二条 专利局对撤销专利权的请求进行审查，作出撤销或者维持专利权的决定，并通知请求人和专利权人。撤销专利权的决定，由专利局登记和公告。

     第四十三条 专利局设立专利复审委员会。对专利局驳回申请的决定不服的，或者对专利局撤销或者维持专利权的决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三个月内，向专利复审委员会请求复审。专利复审委员会复审后，作出决定，并通知专利申请人、专利权人或者撤销专利权的请求人。

     发明专利的申请人、发明专利权人或者撤销发明专利权的请求人对专利复审委员会的复审决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三个月内向人民法院起诉。

     专利复审委员会对申请人、专利权人或者撤销专利权的请求人关于实用新型和外观设计的复审请求所作出的决定为终局决定。

     第四十四条 被撤销的专利权视为自始即不存在。

     第五章 专利权的期限、终止和无效

     第四十五条 发明专利权的期限为二十年，实用新型专利权和外观设计专利权的期限为十年，均自申请日起计算．

     第四十六条 专利权人应当自被授予专利权的当年开始缴纳年费。

     第四十七条 有下列情形之一的，专利权在期限届满前终止：

     一、没有按照规定缴纳年费的；

     二、专利权人以书面声明放弃其专利权的。

     专利权的终止，由专利局登记和公告。

     第四十八条 自专利局公告授予专利权之日起满六个月后，任何单位或者个人认为该专利权的授予不符合本法有关规定的，都可以请求专利复审委员会宣告该专利权无效。

     第四十九条 专利复审委员会对宣告专利权无效的请求进行审查，作出决定，并通知请求人和专利权人。宣告专利权无效的决定，由专利局登记和公告。

     对专利复审委员会宣告发明专利权无效或者维持发明专利权的决定不服的，可以在收到通知之日起三个月内向人民法院起诉。

     专利复审委员会对宣告实用新型和外观设计专利权无效的请求所作出的决定为终局决定。

     第五十条 宣告无效的专利权视为自始即不存在。

     宣告专利权无效的决定，对在宣告专利权无效前人民法院作出并已执行的专利侵权的判决、裁定，专利管理机关作出并已执行的专利侵权处理决定，以及已经履行的专利实施许可合同和专利权转让合同，不具有追溯力。但是因专利权人的恶意给他人造成的损失，应当给予赔偿。

     如果依照上款规定，专利权人或者专利权转让人不向被许可实施专利人或者专利权受让人返还专利使用费或者专利权转让费，明显违反公平原则，专利权人或者专利权转让人应当向被许可实施专利人或者专利权受让人返还全部或者部分专利使用费或者专利权转让费。

     本条第二款、第三款的规定适用于被撤销的专利权。

     第六章 专利实施的强制许可

     第五十一条 具备实施条件的单位以合理的条件请求发明或者实用新型专利权人许可实施其专利，而未能在合理长的时间内获得这种许可时，专利局根据该单位的申请，可以给予实施该发明专利或者实用新型专利的强制许可。

     第五十二条 在国家出现紧急状态或者非常情况时，或者为了公共利益的目的，专利局可以给予实施发明专利或者实用新型专利的强制许可。

     第五十三条 一项取得专利权的发明或者实用新型比前已经取得专利权的发明或者实用新型在技术上先进，其实施又有赖于前一发明或者实用新型的实施的，专利局根据后一专利权人的申请，可以给予实施前一发明或者实用新型的强制许可。

     在依照上款规定给予实施强制许可的情形下，专利局根据前一专利权人的申请，也可以给予实施后一发明或者实用新型的强制许可。

     第五十四条 依照本法规定申请实施强制许可的单位或者个人，应当提出未能以合理条件与专利权人签订实施许可合同的证明。

     第五十五条 专利局作出的给予实施强制许可的决定，应当予以登记和公告。

     第五十六条 取得实施强制许可的单位或者个人不享有独占的实施权，并且无权允许他人实施。

     第五十七条 取得实施强制许可的单位或者个人应当付给专利权人合理的使用费，其数额由双方商定；双方不能达成协议的，由专利局裁决。

     第五十八条 专利权人对专利局关于实施强制许可的决定或者关于实施强制许可的使用费的裁决不服的，可以在收到通知之日起三个月内向人民法院起诉。

     第七章 专利权的保护

     第五十九条 发明或者实用新型专利权的保护范围以其权利要求的内容为准，说明书及附图可以用于解释权利要求。

     外观设计专利权的保护范围以表示在图片或者照片中的该外观设计专利产品为准。

     第六十条 对未经专利权人许可，实施其专利的侵权行为，专利权人或者利害关系人可以请求专利管理机关进行处理，也可以直接向人民法院起诉。专利管理机关处理的时候，有权责令侵权人停止侵权行为，并赔偿损失；当事人不服的，可以在收到通知之日起三个月内向人民法院起诉；期满不起诉又不履行的，专利管理机关可以请求人民法院强制执行。

     在发生侵权纠纷的时候，如果发明专利是一项新产品的制造方法，制造同样产品的单位或者个人应当提供其产品制造方法的证明。

     第六十一条 侵犯专利权的诉讼时效为二年，自专利权人或者利害关系人得知或者应当得知侵权行为之日起计算。

     第六十二条 有下列情形之一的，不视为侵犯专利权：

     一、专利权人制造或者经专利权人许可制造的专利产品售出后，使用或者销售该产品的；

     二、使用或者销售不知道是未经专利权人许可而制造并售出的专利产品的；

     三、在专利申请日前已经制造相同产品、使用相同方法或者已经作好制造、使用的必要准备，并且仅在原有范围内继续制造、使用的；

     四、临时通过中国领土、领水、领空的外国运输工具，依照其所属国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或者依照互惠原则，为运输工具自身需要而在其装置和设备中使用有关专利的；

     五、专为科学研究和实验而使用有关专利的。

     第六十三条 假冒他人专利的，依照本法第六十条的规定处理；情节严重的，对直接责任人员比照刑法第一百二十七条的规定追究刑事责任。

     将非专利产品冒充专利产品的或者将非专利方法冒充专利方法的，由专利管理机关责令停止冒充行为，公开更正，并处以罚款。

     第六十四条 违反本法第二十条规定，擅自向外国申请专利，泄露国家重要机密的，由所在单位或者上级主管机关给予行政处分；情节严重的，依法追究刑事责任。

     第六十五条 侵夺发明人或者设计人的非职务发明创造专利申请权和本法规定的其他权益的，由所在单位或者上级主管机关给予行政处分。

     第六十六条 专利局工作人员及有关国家工作人员徇私舞弊的，由专利局或者有关主管机关给予行政处分；情节严重的，比照刑法第一百八十八条的规定追究刑事责任。

     第八章 附 则

     第六十七条 向专利局申请专利和办理其他手续，应当按照规定缴纳费用。

     第六十八条 本法实施细则由专利局制订，报国务院批准后施行。

     第六十九条 本法自１９８５年４月１日起施行。

     附件：全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于修改《中华人民共和国专利法》的决定

    

     第七届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十七次会议审议了国务院关于《中华人民共和国专利法修正案（草案）》的议案，决定对《中华人民共和国专利法》作如下修改：

     一、第十一条第一款修改为：“发明和实用新型专利权被授予后，除法律另有规定的以外，任何单位或者个人未经专利权人许可，不得为生产经营目的制造、使用、销售其专利产品，或者使用其专利方法以及使用、销售依照该专利方法直接获得的产品。”

     第十一条第二款修改为：“外观设计专利权被授予后，任何单位或者个人未经专利权人许可，不得为生产经营目的制造、销售其外观设计专利产品。”

     第十一条增加一款，作为第三款：“专利权被授予后，除法律另有规定的以外，专利权人有权阻止他人未经专利权人许可，为上两款所述用途进口其专利产品或者进口依照其专利方法直接获得的产品。”

     二、第二十五条第一款修改为：“对下列各项，不授予专利权：

     一、科学发现；

     二、智力活动的规则和方法；

     三、疾病的诊断和治疗方法；

     四、动物和植物品种；

     五、用原子核变换方法获得的物质。”

     第二十五条第二款修改为：“对上款第四项所列产品的生产方法，可以依照本法规定授予专利权。”

     三、第二十九条第一款修改为：“申请人自发明或者实用新型在外国第一次提出专利申请之日起十二个月内，或者自外观设计在外国第一次提出专利申请之日起六个月内，又在中国就相同主题提出专利申请的，依照该外国同中国签订的协议或者共同参加的国际条约，或者依照相互承认优先权的原则，可以享有优先权。”

     第二十九条第二款修改为：“申请人自发明或者实用新型在中国第一次提出专利申请之日起十二个月内，又向专利局就相同主题提出专利申请的，可以享有优先权。”

     四、第三十条修改为：“申请人要求优先权的，应当在申请的时候提出书面声明，并且在三个月内提交第一次提出的专利申请文件的副本；未提出书面声明或者逾期未提交专利申请文件副本的，视为未要求优先权。”

     五、第三十三条修改为：“申请人可以对其专利申请文件进行修改，但是，对发明和实用新型专利申请文件的修改不得超出原说明书和权利要求书记载的范围，对外观设计专利申请文件的修改不得超出原图片或者照片表示的范围。”

     六、第三十四条修改为：“专利局收到发明专利申请后，经初步审查认为符合本法要求的，自申请日起满十八个月，即行公布。专利局可以根据申请人的请求早日公布其申请。”

     七、第三十九条修改为：“发明专利申请经实质审查没有发现驳回理由的，专利局应当作出授予发明专利权的决定，发给发明专利证书，并予以登记和公告。”

     八、第四十条修改为：“实用新型和外观设计专利申请经初步审查没有发现驳回理由的，专利局应当作出授予实用新型专利权或者外观设计专利权的决定，发给相应的专利证书，并予以登记和公告。”

     九、第四十一条修改为：“自专利局公告授予专利权之日起六个月内，任何单位或者个人认为该专利权的授予不符合本法有关规定的，都可以请求专利局撤销该专利权。”

     十、第四十二条修改为：“专利局对撤销专利权的请求进行审查，作出撤销或者维持专利权的决定，并通知请求人和专利权人。撤销专利权的决定，由专利局登记和公告。”

     十一、第四十三条第一款修改为：“专利局设立专利复审委员会。对专利局驳回申请的决定不服的，或者对专利局撤销或者维持专利权的决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三个月内，向专利复审委员会请求复审。专利复审委员会复审后，作出决定，并通知专利申请人、专利权人或者撤销专利权的请求人。”

     第四十三条第二款修改为：“发明专利的申请人、发明专利权人或者撤销发明专利权的请求人对专利复审委员会的复审决定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三个月内向人民法院起诉。”

     第四十三条第三款修改为：“专利复审委员会对申请人、专利权人或者撤销专利权的请求人关于实用新型和外观设计的复审请求所作出的决定为终局决定。”

     十二、第四十四条修改为：“被撤销的专利权视为自始即不存在。”

     十三、第四十五条修改为：“发明专利权的期限为二十年，实用新型专利权和外观设计专利权的期限为十年，均自申请日起计算。”

     十四、第四十八条修改为：“自专利局公告授予专利权之日起满六个月后，任何单位或者个人认为该专利权的授予不符合本法有关规定的，都可以请求专利复审委员会宣告该专利权无效。”

     十五、第五十条修改为：“宣告无效的专利权视为自始即不存在。

     宣告专利权无效的决定，对在宣告专利权无效前人民法院作出并已执行的专利侵权的判决、裁定，专利管理机关作出并已执行的专利侵权处理决定，以及已经履行的专利实施许可合同和专利权转让合同，不具有追溯力。但是因专利权人的恶意给他人造成的损失，应当给予赔偿。

     如果依照上款规定，专利权人或者专利权转让人不向被许可实施专利人或者专利权受让人返还专利使用费或者专利权转让费，明显违反公平原则，专利权人或者专利权转让人应当向被许可实施专利人或者专利权受让人返还全部或者部分专利使用费或者专利权转让费。

     本条第二款、第三款的规定适用于被撤销的专利权。”

     十六、第五十一条修改为：“具备实施条件的单位以合理的条件请求发明或者实用新型专利权人许可实施其专利，而未能在合理长的时间内获得这种许可时，专利局根据该单位的申请，可以给予实施该发明专利或者实用新型专利的强制许可。”

     十七、第五十二条修改为：“在国家出现紧急状态或者非常情况时，或者为了公共利益的目的，专利局可以给予实施发明专利或者实用新型专利的强制许可。”

     十八、第六十条第二款修改为：“在发生侵权纠纷的时候，如果发明专利是一项新产品的制造方法，制造同样产品的单位或者个人应当提供其产品制造方法的证明。”

     十九、第六十三条增加一款，作为第二款：“将非专利产品冒充专利产品的或者将非专利方法冒充专利方法的，由专利管理机关责令停止冒充行为，公开更正，并处以罚款。”

     本决定自１９９３年１月１日起施行。本决定施行前提出的专利申请和根据该申请授予的专利权，适用修改以前的专利法的规定。但是，专利申请在本决定施行前尚未依照修改以前的专利法第三十九条、第四十条的规定公告的，该专利申请的批准和专利权的撤销、宣告无效的程序适用修改后的专利法第三十九条至第四十四条和第四十八条的规定。

     《中华人民共和国专利法》根据本决定作相应的修正，重新公布。

     PATENT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

     (Adopted at the 4th Session of the Standing Committee of the SixthNational People's Congress on March 12, 1984 Amended by the DecisionRegarding the Revision of the Patent Law of the People's Republic ofChina, adopted at the 27th Session of the Standing Committee of theSeventh National People's Congress on September 4, 1992)

     Important Notice: (注意事项)

    当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准.
    In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.
    
     Whole Document (法规全文)

PATENT LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
(Adopted at the 4th Session of the Standing Committee of the Sixth
National People's Congress on March  12,  1984  Amended  by  the  Decision
Regarding the Revision of the Patent  Law  of  the  People's  Republic  of
China, adopted at the 27th  Session  of  the  Standing  Committee  of  the
Seventh National People's Congress on September 4, 1992)
(Translated by the Patent  Office  of  the  People's  Republic  of  China.
In case of discrepancy, the original version in  Chinese  shall  prevail.)
    
     TABLE OF CONTENTS [*1]

Chapter I General Provisions
Article
1 Purpose of the Law
2 Subject Matter of Patents: Inventions-Creations (Inventions and Utility
  Models; Designs)
3 Tasks of the Patent Office
4 Subject Matters to be Kept Secret
5 Subject Matter Contrary to Public Order
6 Right to Apply for Patent; Ownership of Patent Right
7 Prohibition of Preventing Filing Application for Non Service Inventions-
  Creations
8 Inventions-Creations Made Jointly or on Commission
9 First-to-File Rule
10 Assignment of Right to Apply for Patent or of Patent Right
11 Rights Conferred by Patent
12 Patent License Contract
13 Inventions: Exploitation after Publication of Application
14 Planned Exploitation of Certain Patents Owned by Chinese Entities or
   Individuals
15 Marking of Patents
16 Reward of Inventors or Creators of Service Inventions-Creations
17 Naming of Inventor or Creator in Patent
18 Foreigners Entitled to File Patent Applications
19 Representation by Chinese Agency
20 Filing of Applications Abroad by Chinese
21 Secrecy of Patent Application
Chapter II Requirements for Grant of Patent Right
22 Inventions and Utility Models: Substantive Requirements of
   Patentability
23 Designs: Substantive Requirements of Patentability
24 Disclosures Not Causing Loss of Novelty
25 Subject Matters Excluded from Patentability
Chapter III Application for Patent
26 Inventions and Utility Models: Documents Required for Filing Patent
   Application
27 Designs: Documents Required for Filing Patent Application
28 Filing Date
29 Right of Priority
30 Claiming of Right of Priority
31 Unity of Subject Matter
32 Withdrawal of Application
33 Amendment of Application
Chapter IV Examination and Approval of Application for Patent
34 Inventions: Publication of Application
35 Inventions: Initiative for Examination as to Substance
36 Inventions: Information by Applicant for Examination as to Substance
37 Inventions: Invitation to Amend or Make Observations
38 Inventions: Rejection of Application after Examination as to Substance
39 Inventions: Grant of Patent Right after Examination as to Substance
40 Utility Model and Designs: Grant of Patent Right after Preliminary
   Examination
41 Request for Revocation
42 Decision on Request for Revocation
43 Reexamination and, for Inventions, Court Proceedings
44 Effect of Revocation
Chapter V Duration, Cessation and Invalidation of Patent Right
45 Duration
46 Annual Fees
47 Cessation of Patent Right
48 Request for Invalidation
49 Decision on Request for Invalidation
50 Effect of Invalidation
Chapter VI Compulsory License for Exploitation of Patent
51 Inventions and Utility Models: Compulsory Licenses in Case of Failure
   to Obtain Authorization from Patentee
52 Inventions and Utility Models: Compulsory Licenses in Case of Use for
   Public Interest
53 Inventions and Utility Models: Compulsory Licenses in Case of Dependent
   Patents
54 Inventions and Utility Models: Proof Required from Requestor of
   Compulsory License
55 Inventions and Utility Models: Registration and Announcement of
   Compulsory License
56 Inventions and Utility Models: Limitation of Rights of Compulsory
   Licensee
57 Inventions and Utility Models: Exploitation Fee to be Paid by
   Compulsory Licensee
58 Inventions and Utility Models: Court Proceedings by Patentee Concerning
   Compulsory License
Chapter VII Protection of Patent Right
59 Determination of Extent of Protection
60 Definition of Infringement and Remedies; Inventions: Proof in Case of
   Process of Patents
61 Prescription for Instituting Legal Proceedings for Infringements
62 Acts not Constituting Infringement
63 Remedies and Penalties for Passing Off
64 Sanctions for Not Respecting Provision of Article 20
65 Sanctions for Usurpation of Rights of Inventor or Creator
66 Sanctions Against Offending Officials
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
67 Fees
68 Implementing Regulations
69 Date of Entry Into Force of the Law
    
     Chapter I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1.
This Law is enacted to protect patent rights for inventions-creations,  to
encourage inventions-creations, to foster the spreading and application of
inventions-creations, and  to  promote  the  development  of  science  and
technology, for  meeting  the  needs  of  the  construction  of  socialist
modernization.
Article 2.
In this Law, "inventions-creations" mean inventions,  utility  models  and
designs.
Article 3.
The Patent Office of the People's Republic of China receives and  examines
patent applications and grants patent rights for inventions-creations that
conform with the provisions of this Law.
Article 4.
Where the invention-creation for which a patent is applied for relates  to
the security or other vital interests of the State and is required  to  be
kept secret, the application shall  be  treated  in  accordance  with  the
relevant prescriptions of the State.
Article 5.
No patent right shall  be  granted  for  any  invention-creation  that  is
contrary to  the  laws  of  the  State  or  social  morality  or  that  is
detrimental to public interest.
Article 6.
For a service invention-creation, made by a person  in  execution  of  the
tasks of the entity to which he belongs or made by him mainly by using the
material means of the entity, the right to apply for a patent  belongs  to
the entity. For any non service invention-creation, the right to apply for
a patent belongs to the inventor or creator.   After  the  application  is
approved, if it was filed by  an  entity  under  ownership  by  the  whole
people, the patent right shall be held by the entity; if it was  filed  by
an entity under collective ownership or by an individual, the patent right
shall be owned by the entity or individual.
For a service invention-creation made by any staff member or worker  of  a
foreign enterprise, or of  a  Chinese-foreign  joint  venture  enterprise,
located in China,  the  right  to  apply  for  a  patent  belongs  to  the
enterprise. For any non service invention-creation, the right to apply for
a patent belongs to the inventor or  creator.  After  the  application  is
approved, the patent right  shall  be  owned  by  the  enterprise  or  the
individual that applied for it.
The owner of the patent right and the  holder  of  the  patent  right  are
referred to as "patentee".
Article 7.
No entity or individual shall prevent the inventor or creator from  filing
an application for a patent for a non service invention-creation.
Article 8.
For an invention-creation made in cooperation by two or more entities,  or
made by an entity in execution of a commission for research  or  designing
given to it by another entity, the right to apply for  a  patent  belongs,
unless otherwise agreed upon, to the entity which made, or to the entities
which jointly made,  the  invention-creation.  After  the  application  is
approved, the patent right shall  be  owned  or  held  by  the  entity  or
entities that applied for it.
Article 9.
Where two  or  more  applicants  file  applications  for  patent  for  the
identical invention-creation, the patent right shall  be  granted  to  the
applicant whose application was filed first.
Article 10.
The right to apply for a patent and the patent right may be assigned.  Any
assignment, by an entity under ownership by the whole people, of the right
to apply for a patent, or of the patent right, must  be  approved  by  the
competent authority at the higher level.
Any assignment, by a Chinese entity or individual, of the right  to  apply
for a patent, or of the patent right, to a foreigner must be  approved  by
the competent department concerned of the State Council.
Where the right to apply for a patent or the patent right is assigned, the
parties must conclude a written contract, which will come into force after
it is registered with and announced by the Patent Office.
Article 11. [*2] [*3]
After the grant of the patent right for an  invention  or  utility  model,
except as otherwise provided for in the law, no entity or individual  may,
without the authorization of the patentee, make, use or sell the  patented
product, or use the patented process and use or sell the product  directly
obtained by the patented process, for production or business purposes.
After the grant of the patent right for a design, no entity or  individual
may, without the authorization of the patentee, make or sell the  product,
incorporating its or his  patented  design,  for  production  or  business
purposes.
After the grant of the patent right, except as otherwise provided  for  in
the law, the patentee has the right  to  prevent  any  other  person  from
importing, without its or his authorization, the patented product, or  the
product directly obtained by its or his patented  process,  for  the  uses
mentioned in the preceding two paragraphs.
Article 12.
Any entity or individual exploiting the patent of another must, except  as
provided for in Article 14 of this  Law,  conclude  with  the  patentee  a
written license contract for exploitation and pay the patentee a  fee  for
the exploitation of the patent. The licensee has no right to authorize any
entity or individual, other than that referred  to  in  the  contract  for
exploitation, to exploit the patent.
Article 13.
After the publication of the application for a patent for  invention,  the
applicant may require the entity or individual exploiting the invention to
pay an appropriate fee.
Article 14.
The competent departments concerned of the State Council and the  people's
governments of provinces, autonomous regions  or  municipalities  directly
under the Central Government have the power to decide, in accordance  with
the State plan, that any entity under ownership by the whole  people  that
is within their system or directly under  their  administration  and  that
holds the patent right to an  important  invention-creation  is  to  allow
designated entities to exploit that invention-creation; and the exploiting
entity shall, according to the prescriptions of the State, pay a  fee  for
exploitation to the entity holding the patent right.
Any patent of a Chinese individual or entity under  collective  ownership,
which is of great significance to the interests of the  State  or  to  the
public interest and is in need of spreading and  application,  may,  after
approval by the  State  Council  at  the  solicitation  of  its  competent
department  concerned,  be  treated  alike  by  making  reference  to  the
provisions of the preceding paragraph.
Article 15.
The patentee has the right to affix a patent marking and to  indicate  the
number of the patent on the patented product or on  the  packing  of  that
product.
Article 16.
The entity owning or holding the patent right shall award to the  inventor
or creator of a service invention-creation a reward and, upon exploitation
of the patented invention-creation, shall award to the inventor or creator
a reward based on the extent of spreading and application and the economic
benefits yielded.
Article 17.
The inventor or creator has the right to be named as such  in  the  patent
document.
Article 18.
Where any foreigner, foreign  enterprise  or  other  foreign  organization
having no  habitual  residence  or  business  office  in  China  files  an
application for a patent in China, the application shall be treated  under
this Law in accordance with any agreement concluded between the country to
which  the  applicant  belongs  and  China,  or  in  accordance  with  any
international treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of
the principle of reciprocity.
Article 19.
Where any foreigner, foreign  enterprise  or  other  foreign  organization
having no habitual residence or business office in  China  applies  for  a
patent, or has other patent matters to attend to, in China, he or it shall
appoint a patent agency designated by the State Council  of  the  People's
Republic of China to act as his or its agent.  Where any Chinese entity or
individual applies for a patent or has other patent matters to  attend  to
in the country, it or he may appoint a patent agency to act as its or  his
agent.
Article 20.
Where any Chinese entity or individual intends to file an application in a
foreign country for a patent for invention-creation made in  the  country,
it or he shall file first an application for patent with the Patent Office
and, with the sanction of the competent department concerned of the  State
Council, shall appoint a patent agency designated by the State Council  to
act as its or his agent.
Article 21.
Until the publication or announcement of the  application  for  a  patent,
staff members of the Patent Office and persons involved have the  duty  to
keep its content secret.
    
     Chapter II REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT OF PATENT RIGHT

Article 22.
Any invention or utility model for which patent right may be granted  must
possess novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability.
Novelty means that, before the date of filing, no identical  invention  or
utility model has been publicly disclosed in publications in  the  country
or abroad or has been publicly used or made known to  the  public  by  any
other means in the country, nor has any other person filed previously with
the Patent Office an application which described the  identical  invention
or utility model and was published after the said date of filing.
Inventiveness means that, as compared with the technology existing  before
the date of filing the invention has prominent  substantive  features  and
represents a notable progress and that the utility model  has  substantive
features and represents progress.  Practical applicability means that  the
invention or utility model can be made or used and can  produce  effective
results.
Article 23.
Any design for which patent right may be granted  must  not  be  identical
with or similar to any design which, before the date of filing,  has  been
publicly disclosed in publications in the country or abroad  or  has  been
publicly used in the country.
Article 24.
An invention-creation for which a patent is applied for does not lose  its
novelty where, within six months before the date of  filing,  one  of  the
following events occurred:
(1) where it was first exhibited at an international exhibition  sponsored
or recognized by the Chinese Government;
(2)  where  it  was  first  made  public  at  a  prescribed  academic   or
technological meeting;
(3) where it was disclosed by  any  person  without  the  consent  of  the
applicant.
Article 25. [*4]
For any of the following, no patent right shall be granted:
(1) scientific discoveries;
(2) rules and methods for mental activities;
(3) methods for the diagnosis or for the treatment of diseases;
(4) animal and plant varieties;
(5) substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation.
For processes used in producing products referred to in items (4)  of  the
preceding paragraph, patent right may be granted in  accordance  with  the
provisions of this Law.
    
     Chapter III APPLICATION FOR PATENT

Article 26.
Where an application for a patent for invention or utility model is filed,
a request, a description and its abstract, and claims shall be submitted.
The request shall state the title of the invention or utility  model,  the
name of the inventor or creator, the name and the address of the applicant
and other related matters.
The description shall set forth the invention or utility model in a manner
sufficiently clear and complete so as to enable a person  skilled  in  the
relevant field of technology to carry it out;  where  necessary,  drawings
are required. The abstract shall state briefly the main  technical  points
of the invention or utility model.
The claims shall be supported by  the  description  and  shall  state  the
extent of the patent protection asked for.
Article 27.
Where an application for a patent for design is filed, a request, drawings
or  photographs  of  the  design  shall  be  submitted,  and  the  product
incorporating the design and the class to which that product belongs shall
be indicated.
Article 28.
The date on which the Patent Office receives the application shall be  the
date of filing. If the application is sent by mail, the  date  of  mailing
indicated by the postmark shall be the date of filing.
Article 29. [*5]
Where, within twelve months from the date on  which  any  applicant  first
filed in a foreign country an application for a patent  for  invention  or
utility model, or within six months from the date on which  any  applicant
first filed in a foreign country an application for a patent  for  design,
he or it files in China an application for a patent for the  same  subject
matter, he or it may, in accordance with any agreement  concluded  between
the  said  foreign  country  and  China,  or  in   accordance   with   any
international treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of
the principle of mutual recognition of the  right  of  priority,  enjoy  a
right of priority.
Where, within twelve months from the date on  which  any  applicant  first
filed in China an application for a patent for invention or utility model,
he or it files with the Patent Office an application for a patent for  the
same subject matter, he or it may enjoy a right of priority.
Article 30. [*6]
Any applicant who claims the  right  of  priority  shall  make  a  written
declaration when the  application  is  filed,  and  submit,  within  three
months, a copy of the patent application document which was first filed;
if the applicant fails to make the written declaration or to meet the time
limit for submitting the patent application document,  the  claim  to  the
right of priority shall be deemed not to have been made.
Article 31.
An application for a patent  for  invention  or  utility  model  shall  be
limited to one invention or utility  model.  Two  or  more  inventions  or
utility models belonging to a single  general  inventive  concept  may  be
filed as one application.
An application for a patent for design shall  be  limited  to  one  design
incorporated in one product. Two or more designs which are incorporated in
products belonging to the same class and are sold or used in sets  may  be
filed as one application.
Article 32.
An applicant may withdraw his or its application for a patent at any  time
before the patent right is granted.
Article 33. [*7]
An applicant may amend his or  its  application  for  a  patent,  but  the
amendment to the application for a patent for invention or  utility  model
may not go beyond the scope of the disclosure  contained  in  the  initial
description and claims, and the amendment to the application for a  patent
for design may not go beyond the scope of the disclosure as shown  in  the
initial drawings or photographs.
    
     Chapter IV EXAMINATION AND APPROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR PATENT

Article 34. [*8]
Where, after receiving an application for  a  patent  for  invention,  the
Patent Office, upon preliminary examination, finds the application  to  be
in conformity with the requirements of this  Law,  it  shall  publish  the
application promptly after the expiration of eighteen months from the date
of filing. Upon the request of the applicant, the Patent Office  publishes
the application earlier.
Article 35.
Upon the request of the applicant for a patent for invention, made at  any
time within three years from the date of filing, the  Patent  Office  will
proceed to examine the application as to its substance.  If,  without  any
justified  reason,  the  applicant  fails  to  meet  the  time  limit  for
requesting examination as to substance, the application shall be deemed to
have been withdrawn.
The Patent Office may, on its  own  initiative,  proceed  to  examine  any
application for a patent for invention as to its substance when  it  deems
it necessary.
Article 36.
When the applicant for a patent for invention requests examination  as  to
substance, he or it shall  furnish  pre-filing  date  reference  materials
concerning the invention.  The applicant for a patent  for  invention  who
has filed in a foreign country an application for a patent  for  the  same
invention shall, at the time of requesting examination  as  to  substance,
furnish documents concerning any search made for the purpose of  examining
that application, or concerning the results of any  examination  made,  in
that country. If, without any justified reason, the said documents are not
furnished, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Article 37.
Where the Patent Office, after it has made the examination as to substance
of the application for a patent for invention, finds that the  application
is not in conformity with the provisions of this Law, it shall notify  the
applicant and request him or it to submit, within a specified time  limit,
his or its observations or to  amend  the  application.  If,  without  any
justified reason, the time limit for  making  response  is  not  met,  the
application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
Article 38.
Where, after the applicant has made the observations  or  amendments,  the
Patent Office finds that the application for a  patent  for  invention  is
still not in conformity with the provisions of this Law,  the  application
shall be rejected.
Article 39. [*9]
Where it is found after examination as to substance that there is no cause
for rejection of the application for a patent for  invention,  the  Patent
Office shall make a decision to grant  the  patent  right  for  invention,
issue the certificate of patent for invention, and register  and  announce
it.
Article 40. [*10]
Where it is found after preliminary examination that there is no cause for
rejection of the application for a patent for utility model or design, the
Patent Office shall make a decision to grant the patent right for  utility
model  or  the  patent  right  for  design,  issue  the  relevant   patent
certificate, and register and announce it.
Article 41. [*11]
Where, within six months from the date of the announcement of the grant of
the patent right by the Patent Office, any entity or individual  considers
that the grant of the said patent right is  not  in  conformity  with  the
relevant provisions of this Law, it or he may request the Patent Office to
revoke the patent right.
Article 42. [*12]
The Patent Office shall examine the request for revocation of  the  patent
right, make a decision revoking or upholding the patent right, and  notify
the person who made the request and the patentee.  The  decision  revoking
the patent right shall be registered and announced by the Patent Office.
Article 43. [*13]
The Patent Office shall set up a Patent  Reexamination  Board.  Where  any
party is not satisfied with the decision of the  Patent  Office  rejecting
the application,  or  the  decision  of  the  Patent  Office  revoking  or
upholding the patent right, such party may, within three months  from  the
date of receipt of the  notification,  request  the  Patent  Reexamination
Board to make a reexamination. The Patent Reexamination Board shall, after
reexamination, make a decision and notify the applicant, the  patentee  or
the person who made the request for revocation of the patent right.
Where the applicant for  a  patent  for  invention,  the  patentee  of  an
invention or the person who made the request for revocation of the  patent
right for invention is not satisfied  with  the  decision  of  the  Patent
Reexamination Board, he or it may, within three months from  the  date  of
receipt of the notification, institute legal proceedings in  the  people's
court.
The decision of the Patent Reexamination Board in respect of any  request,
made by the applicant, the patentee or the person who made the request for
revocation of the patent right, for  reexamination  concerning  a  utility
model or design is final.
Article 44. [*14]
Any patent right which has been revoked shall be deemed to be  nonexistent
from the beginning.
    
     Chapter V DURATION, CESSATION AND INVALIDATION OF PATENT RIGHT

Article 45. [*15]
The duration of patent right for inventions shall  be  twenty  years,  the
duration of patent right for utility models and patent right  for  designs
shall be ten years, counted from the date of filing.
Article 46.
The patentee shall pay an annual fee beginning with the year in which  the
patent right was granted.
Article 47.
In any of the following cases, the patent right  shall  cease  before  the
expiration of its duration:
(1) where an annual fee is not paid as prescribed;
(2) where the patentee abandons his or  its  patent  right  by  a  written
declaration.  Any cessation of the patent right shall  be  registered  and
announced by the Patent Office.
Article 48. [*16]
Where,  after  the  expiration  of  six  months  from  the  date  of   the
announcement of the grant of the patent right by the  Patent  Office,  any
entity or individual considers that the grant of the said patent right  is
not in conformity with the relevant provisions of this Law, it or  he  may
request the  Patent  Reexamination  Board  to  declare  the  patent  right
invalid.
Article 49.
The Patent Reexamination Board shall examine the request for  invalidation
of the patent right, make a decision and notify the person  who  made  the
request and the patentee. The decision declaring the patent right  invalid
shall be registered and announced by the Patent Office.
Where any  party  is  not  satisfied  with  the  decision  of  the  Patent
Reexamination Board declaring the patent right for  invention  invalid  or
upholding the patent right for invention, such  party  may,  within  three
months from receipt of the notification of the decision,  institute  legal
proceedings in the people's court.
The decision of the Patent Reexamination Board in respect of a request  to
declare invalid the patent right for utility model or design is final.
Article 50. [*17]
Any patent right which has been declared invalid shall  be  deemed  to  be
nonexistent from the beginning.
The decision of invalidation shall  have  no  retroactive  effect  on  any
judgement or order on patent infringement which has  been  pronounced  and
enforced by the people's court, on any decision concerning the handling of
patent infringement which has been made and enforced by the administrative
authority for patent affairs, and on any contract of patent license and of
assignment of patent  right  which  have  been  performed,  prior  to  the
decision of invalidation; however, the damages caused to other persons  in
bad faith on the part of the patentee shall be compensated.
If, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph,  no  repayment,
by the patentee or the assignor of the patent right to the licensee or the
assignee of the patent right, of the  fee  for  the  exploitation  of  the
patent or the price for the assignment of the patent  right  is  obviously
contrary to the principle of equity, the patentee or the assignor  of  the
patent right shall repay the whole or part of the fee for the exploitation
of the patent or the price for the assignment of the patent right  to  the
licensee or the assignee of the patent right.
The provisions of the second and third paragraph  of  this  Article  shall
apply to the patent right which has been revoked.
    
     Chapter VI COMPULSORY LICENSE FOR EXPLOITATION OF THE PATENT

Article 51. [*18]
Where any entity which is qualified to exploit the  invention  or  utility
model has  made  requests  for  authorization  from  the  patentee  of  an
invention or utility model to exploit its  or  his  patent  on  reasonable
terms and such efforts have not been successful within a reasonable period
of time, the Patent Office may, upon the application of that entity, grant
a compulsory license to exploit the patent for invention or utility model.
Article 52. [*19]
Where a national emergency or any extraordinary state of  affairs  occurs,
or where the public interest so requires, the Patent Office  may  grant  a
compulsory license to exploit the patent for invention or utility model.
Article 53.
Where the invention or utility  model  for  which  the  patent  right  was
granted is technically more advanced than  another  invention  or  utility
model  for  which  a  patent  right  has  been  granted  earlier  and  the
exploitation of the later  invention  or  utility  model  depends  on  the
exploitation of the earlier invention or utility model, the Patent  Office
may, upon the request of the later patentee, grant a compulsory license to
exploit the earlier invention or utility model.
Where, according to the  preceding  paragraph,  a  compulsory  license  is
granted, the Patent Office may, upon the request of the earlier  patentee,
also grant a compulsory license to exploit the later invention or  utility
model.
Article 54.
The entity or individual requesting, in accordance with the provisions  of
this Law, a compulsory license for exploitation shall furnish  proof  that
it or he has not been  able  to  conclude  with  the  patentee  a  license
contract for exploitation on reasonable terms.
Article 55.
The decision made by the Patent Office granting a compulsory  license  for
exploitation shall be registered and announced.
Article 56.
Any entity  or  individual  that  is  granted  a  compulsory  license  for
exploitation shall not have an exclusive right to exploit  and  shall  not
have the right to authorize exploitation by any others.
Article 57.
The entity  or  individual  that  is  granted  a  compulsory  license  for
exploitation shall pay to the patentee a reasonable exploitation fee,  the
amount of which shall be fixed by both parties in consultations. Where the
parties fail to reach an agreement, the Patent Office shall adjudicate.
Article 58.
Where the patentee is not satisfied with the decision of the Patent Office
granting a compulsory license for exploitation or  with  the  adjudication
regarding the exploitation fee payable for exploitation,  he  or  it  may,
within three months from the receipt of the notification, institute  legal
proceedings in the people's court.
    
     Chapter VII PROTECTION OF PATENT RIGHT

Article 59.
The extent of protection of the patent  right  for  invention  or  utility
model shall be determined by the terms of the claims. The description  and
the appended drawings may be used to interpret the claims.
The extent  of  protection  of  the  patent  right  for  design  shall  be
determined by the product incorporating the patented design  as  shown  in
the drawings or photographs.
Article 60.
For any exploitation of the  patent,  without  the  authorization  of  the
patentee, constituting an infringing act, the patentee or  any  interested
party may request the  administrative  authority  for  patent  affairs  to
handle the matter or may  directly  institute  legal  proceedings  in  the
people's court. The administrative authority for patent  affairs  handling
the matter shall have the  power  to  order  the  infringer  to  stop  the
infringing act and to compensate for the damage.  Any  party  dissatisfied
may, within three months from the receipt of the  notification,  institute
legal proceedings in the people's  court.  If  such  proceedings  are  not
instituted within the time limit and if the order is  not  complied  with,
the administrative authority for patent affairs may approach the  people's
court for compulsory execution.
When any infringement dispute arises, if the patent  for  invention  is  a
process for the manufacture of a new product,  any  entity  or  individual
manufacturing the identical product shall furnish  proof  of  the  process
used in the manufacture of its or his product. [*20]
Article 61.
Prescription for instituting legal proceedings concerning the infringement
of patent right is two years counted from the date on which  the  patentee
or any interested party obtains or should have obtained knowledge  of  the
infringing act.
Article 62.
None of the following shall be deemed an infringement of the patent right:
(1) Where, after the sale of a patented  product  that  was  made  by  the
patentee or with the authorization of the patentee, any other person  uses
or sells that product;
(2) Where any person uses or sells a patented product not knowing that  it
was made and sold without the authorization of the patentee;
(3) Where, before the date of filing of the application  for  patent,  any
person who has already made the  identical  product,  used  the  identical
process, or made necessary preparations for its making or using, continues
to make or use it within the original scope only;
(4) Where any foreign means of transport which temporarily passes  through
the territory, territorial waters or territorial airspace  of  China  uses
the patent concerned, in accordance with any agreement  concluded  between
the country to which the foreign means of transport belongs and China,  or
in accordance with any international treaty to which  both  countries  are
party, or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for its own needs,
in its devices and installations;
(5) Where any person uses the patent concerned solely for the purposes  of
scientific research and experimentation.
Article 63.
Where any person passes off the patent of another person, such passing off
shall be treated in accordance  with  Article  60  of  this  Law.  If  the
circumstances are  serious,  any  person  directly  responsible  shall  be
prosecuted, for his  criminal  liability,  by  applying  mutatis  mutandis
Article 127 of the Criminal Law.
Where any person passes any unpatented product off as patented product  or
passes any unpatented process off as patented process, such  person  shall
be ordered by the administrative authority for patent affairs to stop  the
passing off, correct it publicly, and pay a fine. [*21]
Article 64.
Where any person, in violation of the provisions of  Article  20  of  this
Law, unauthorizedly files in a foreign country an application for a patent
that divulges an important secret of the State, he  shall  be  subject  to
disciplinary sanction by  the  entity  to  which  he  belongs  or  by  the
competent authority concerned at the higher level.  If  the  circumstances
are serious, he shall be prosecuted for his criminal  liability  according
to the law.
Article 65.
Where any person usurps the right of an inventor or creator to apply for a
patent for a non service invention-creation, or usurps any other right  or
interest of an inventor or creator, prescribed by this Law,  he  shall  be
subject to disciplinary sanction by the entity to which he belongs  or  by
the competent authority at the higher level.
Article 66.
Where any staff member of the Patent Office, or any staff member concerned
of the State, acts wrongfully out of personal  considerations  or  commits
fraudulent acts, he shall be  subject  to  disciplinary  sanction  by  the
Patent Office or the competent authority concerned. If  the  circumstances
are serious, he shall  be  prosecuted,  for  his  criminal  liability,  by
applying mutatis mutandis Article 188 of the Criminal Law.
    
     Chapter VIII SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS

Article 67.
Any application for a patent filed with, and any other proceedings before,
the Patent Office shall be subject to the payment of a fee as prescribed.
Article 68.
The implementing Regulations of this Law shall be drawn up by  the  Patent
Office and shall enter into force after approval by the State Council.
Article 69.
This Law shall enter into force on April 1, 1985.
This Decision [*22] shall  enter  into  force  on  January  1,  1993.  The
applications for patent filed before the entry into force of this Decision
and the patent rights granted on the basis of the said applications  shall
continue to be governed by the provisions of the  Patent  Law  before  its
amendment. However, the procedures provided by the amended Articles 39  to
44 and the amended Article 48 of the Patent Law concerning the approval of
applications for patent, and the revocation and invalidation of the patent
right shall apply  to  the  said  applications  which  are  not  announced
according to the provisions of Articles 39 and 40 of the Patent Law before
its amendment. (Extract from the Decision Regarding the  Revision  of  the
Patent Law of the People's Republic of China, Adopted at the 27th  Session
of the Standing Committee of the Seventh  National  People's  Congress  on
September 4, 1992)
[*1] This Table of Contents was established for  the  convenience  of  the
reader by the Patent Laws Research Institute of the Chinese Patent Office.
The text of the Patent Law  adopted  by  the  Standing  Committee  of  the
National People's Congress does not contain such a table and the  Articles
have no titles in the Law.
[*2] The texts of those articles  of  the  Law  printed  in  boldface  are
amended texts.  The  relevant  old  texts  are,  for  the  convenience  of
reference, printed in the footnotes on the same page.
[*3] Old Article 11. After the grant of the patent right for an  invention
or utility model, except as provided for in Article 14  of  this  Law,  no
entity or individual may,  without  the  authorization  of  the  patentee,
exploit the patent, that is, make, use or sell the  patented  product,  or
use the patented process, for production or business purposes.
After the grant of the patent right for a design, no entity or  individual
may, without the authorization of the patentee, exploit the  patent,  that
is, make or sell the  product,  incorporating  the  patented  design,  for
production or business purposes.
[*4] Old Article 25. For any of the following, no patent  right  shall  be
granted:
(1) scientific discoveries;
(2) rules and methods for mental activities;
(3) methods for the diagnosis or for the treatment of diseases;
(4) food, beverages and flavorings;
(5) pharmaceutical products and substances obtained by means of a chemical
process;
(6) animal and plant varieties;
(7) substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation.
For processes used in producing products referred to in items (4) to (6)
of the preceding paragraph, patent right may be granted in accordance with
the provisions of this Law.
[*5] Old Article 29.
Where any foreign applicant files an application in  China  within  twelve
months from the date on which he or it first filed in a foreign country an
application for a patent for the identical invention or utility model,  or
within six months from the date on which he or it first filed in a foreign
country an application for a patent for the identical  design,  he  or  it
may, in accordance with any agreement concluded  between  the  country  to
which he or it belongs and China, or in accordance with any  international
treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of the principle
of mutual recognition of the right of priority, enjoy a right of priority,
that is, the date on which the application was first filed in the  foreign
country shall be regarded as the date of filing.
Where the applicant claims a right of priority and where one of the events
listed in Article 24 of this Law occurred, the  period  of  the  right  of
priority shall be counted from the date on which the event occurred.
[*6] Old Article 30. Any applicant who claims the right of priority  shall
make a written declaration when the application is filed,  indicating  the
date of filing of the earlier application in the foreign country  and  the
country in which that application was  filed,  and  submit,  within  three
months, a copy of that application document, certified  by  the  competent
authority of that country; if the applicant  fails  to  make  the  written
declaration or to meet the time limit for  submitting  the  document,  the
claim to the right of priority shall be deemed not to have been made.
[*7] Old Article 33. An applicant may amend his or its application  for  a
patent, but may not go beyond the scope of the disclosure contained in the
initial description.
[*8] Old Article 34. Where, after receiving an application  for  a  patent
for invention, the Patent Office, upon preliminary examination, finds  the
application to be in conformity with the  requirements  of  this  Law,  it
shall publish the application within 18 months from the date of filing.
Upon the request  of  the  applicant,  the  Patent  Office  publishes  the
application earlier.
[*9] Old Article 39. Where it is found after examination as  to  substance
that there is no cause for rejection of the application for a  patent  for
invention, the Patent Office shall make a decision, announce it and notify
the applicant.
[*10] Old Article 40. Where, after receiving the application for a  patent
for utility model or design, the  Patent  Office  finds  upon  preliminary
examination that the application is in conformity with the requirements of
this Law, it shall not proceed to examine it as  to  substance  but  shall
immediately make an announcement and notify the applicant.
[*11]  Old  Article  41.  Within  three  months  from  the  date  of   the
announcement  of  the  application  for  a  patent,  any  person  may,  in
accordance with the provisions of this Law, file with the Patent Office an
opposition to that application. The Patent Office shall send a copy of the
opposition to the applicant, to  which  the  applicant  shall  respond  in
writing within three months from the date of its receipt; if, without  any
justified reason, the time limit for making the written  response  is  not
met, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
[*12] Old Article 42. Where, after examination, the  Patent  Office  finds
that the opposition is justified, it shall make a decision to  reject  the
application and notify the opponent and the applicant.
[*13]  Old  Article  43.  The  Patent  Office  shall  set  up   a   Patent
Reexamination Board.  Where  the  applicant  is  not  satisfied  with  the
decision of the Patent Office rejecting the application,  he  or  it  may,
within three months from the date of receipt of the notification,  request
the Patent  Reexamination  Board  to  make  a  reexamination.  The  Patent
Reexamination Board shall, after reexamination, make a decision and notify
the applicant.
Where the applicant for a patent for invention is not satisfied  with  the
decision of the Patent  Reexamination  Board  rejecting  the  request  for
reexamination, he or it may within three months from the date  of  receipt
of the notification, institute legal proceedings in the people's court.
The decision of the Patent Reexamination Board in respect of  any  request
by the applicant for reexamination concerning a utility model or design is
final.
[*14] Old Article 44. Where no opposition to the application for a  patent
is filed  or  where,  after  its  examination,  the  opposition  is  found
unjustified, the Patent Office shall make a decision to grant  the  patent
right, issue  the  patent  certificate,  and  register  and  announce  the
relevant matters.
[*15] Old Article 45. The duration of patent right for inventions shall be
15 years counted from the date of filing.
The duration of patent right for utility models or designs shall  be  five
years counted from the date of filing. Before the expiration of  the  said
term, the patentee may apply for a renewal for three years.
Where the patentee enjoys a right of  priority,  the  duration  of  patent
right shall be counted from the date on which the application was filed in
China.
[*16] Old Article 48. Where, after the grant  of  the  patent  right,  any
entity or individual considers that the grant of the said patent right  is
not in conformity with the provisions of this Law, it or  he  may  request
the Patent Reexamination Board to declare the patent right invalid.
[*17] Old Article 50. Any patent right which  has  been  declared  invalid
shall be deemed to be nonexistent from the beginning.
[*18] Old Article 51. The patentee himself or itself has the obligation to
make the patented product, or to use the patented process,  in  China,  or
otherwise to authorize other persons to make the patented product,  or  to
use the patented process, in China.
[*19] Old Article 52. Where the patentee of an invention or utility  model
fails, without any justified reason, by the expiration of three years from
the date of the grant of the patent right, to fulfil  the  obligation  set
forth in Article 51, the Patent Office may, upon the request of an  entity
which is qualified to exploit the invention  or  utility  model,  grant  a
compulsory license to exploit the patent.
[*20] The old second  paragraph  of  Article  60:  When  any  infringement
dispute arises,  if  the  patent  for  invention  is  a  process  for  the
manufacture of a product,  any  entity  or  individual  manufacturing  the
identical  product  shall  furnish  proof  of  the  process  used  in  the
manufacture of its or his product.
[*21] This is a new paragraph added to Article 63.
[*22] This Decision relates to the amendments of Articles 11, 25, 29,  30,
33, 34, 39-45, 48, 50-52, 60 and 63 of the Patent Law.