Tianmu News:
The quality of patent applications has drawn much attention. Mr. Hu just mentioned the statistics of combating irregular patent applications. What has been done in this regard? What about the achievements and plans?
Hu Wenhui：
Thank you for your question about cracking down on irregular patent applications. Let us invite Mr. Zhang to answer this question.
Zhang Zhicheng:
Thank you for your question. To thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and take concrete actions to turn China from a country relying on imported intellectual property into one with solid innovative ability, and from quantity-orientation into quality-orientation, the CNIPA has continued to carry out patent quality promotion projects in recent years. It has scored outstanding achievements in firmly taking actions against irregular patent applications with no intent to protect innovation. In general, we have delivered in the four following aspects.
First, we have actively instructed local governments to improve intellectual property policies and promote high-quality development by canceling subsidies and rewards for applying.
Second, we have strengthened examination efforts at an early phase. Through combined manners of computer-assisted screening and manual checking, we have strictly examined and prudently confirmed cases suspected as irregular patent applications.
Third, we promptly notified local authorities of the patent applications confirmed as irregular and requested local intellectual property management authorities to inspect the applications, and the applicants to withdraw them. We also protect the legitimate rights and interests of applicants in accordance with laws during the process.
Fourth, we have intensified positive publicity and guidance to foster a sound environment for high-quality development, instructed applicants to apply for patents correctly and promoted quality.
As Mr. Hu just said, the CNIPA has organized a special campaign to crack down on irregular patent applications last year and notified local governments across China about a total of 815,000 irregular patent applications in four batches. By the end of last year, 97% of the notified irregular patent applications of the first three batches were withdrawn. Meanwhile, the CNIPA has intensified regulation in the patent agent industry. In the "Blue Sky" special campaign, we have heavily punished nine agent institutions dealing with irregular patent applications by qualifications revocation and agency suspension. As for 84 agencies whose cases per agent consistently exceeded five times the average level, we have organized intellectual property management departments in relevant provinces to conduct critical inspections. We have urged the local governments to impose an administrative penalty on 29 institutions with severe cases.
Last week, the national meeting attended by heads of the country's intellectual property departments was held. In accordance with the deployment of the meeting, we will continue to crack down on abnormal patent applications. Next, we will continue working with local intellectual property management departments to improve the standardized working mechanism for cracking down on abnormal patent applications, promote the synergy between upper and lower levels of collaborative governance, increase efforts to crack down on abnormal patent applications, improve the quality of patent applications and accelerate efforts to build China into a country that is strong on intellectual property. Thanks.
