Patent Sector Gets Major Upgrade in Line with National IP Aspirations

In line with government plans to boost China’s intellectual property sector over the next five years, the number and quality of the country’s patent agents has been earmarked for a major upgrade. Under the terms of the State Intellectual Property Office’s newly-released 13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Patent Agency Industry, there will be 60,000 properly-qualified patent agents in the country by 2020, as compared to the 27,000 registered as of the end of 2015. Across the same period, there will also be an increase in the number of practicing patent agents from 12,000 to 25,000, while the number of patent agencies is set to rise from 1,256 to more than 2,000, including at least 100 representatives of recognised international brands.

Among the other priorities identified in the plan is an easing of the restrictions placed on the shareholders and partners of patent agencies in line with the overall liberalisation of the patent agency business sector and the reform of its development model. Steps will also be taken to upgrade the quality of services provided by patent agencies, including improvements to the quality appraisal mechanism through multi-party involvement and the introduction of a quality complaint platform. Patent agencies will also be given greater support when it comes to helping enterprises with their patent portfolio arrangements and any required overseas patent licensing enforcement and litigation. Additionally, provision will be made for the supply of comprehensive, high quality patent-related legal services in order to improve the capability of patent agencies when it comes to providing overseas services and raising the overall international standing of the industry.

For further details (in Chinese), please refer to the following website:

Circular on the Issuance of the 13thFive-Year Plan for Development of Patent Agency Industry