(Adoptedatthe4thMeetingoftheStandingCommitteeoftheSixthNationalPeople’sCongressonMarch12,1984.AmendedinaccordancewiththeDecisionoftheStandingCommitteeoftheSeventhNationalPeople’sCongressonAmendingthePatentLawofthePeople’sRepublicofChinaatits27thMeetingonSeptember4,1992.AmendedagaininaccordancewiththeDecisionoftheStandingCommitteeoftheNinthNationalPeople’sCongressonAmendingthePatentLawofthePeople’sRepublicofChinaadoptedatits17thMeetingonAugust25,2000)
CHAPTERIGENERALPROVISIONS
Article1.ThisLawisenactedtoprotectpatentrightsforinventions-creationstoencourageinvention-creationtofosterthespreadingandapplicationofinventions-creationsandtopromotethedevelopmentandinnovationofscienceandtechnologyformeetingtheneedsoftheconstructionofsocialistmodernization.
Article2.InthisLaw“inventions-creations”mean“inventions,utilitymodelsanddesigns”.
Article3.ThepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilisresponsibleforthepatentworkthroughoutthecountry.Itreceivesandexaminespatentapplicationsandgrantspatentrightsforinventions-creationsinaccordancewithlaw.
Theadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairsunderthepeople’sgovernmentsofprovinces,autonomousregionsandmunicipalitiesdirectlyundertheCentralGovernmentareresponsiblefortheadministrativeworkconcerningpatentsintheirrespectiveadministrativeareas.
Article4.Whereaninvention-creationforwhichapatentisappliedforrelatestothesecurityorothervitalinterestsoftheStateandisrequiredtobekeptsecret,theapplicationshallbetreatedinaccordancewiththerelevantprescriptionsoftheState.
Articles5.Nopatentrightshallbegrantedforanyinvention-creationthatiscontrarytothelawsoftheStateorsocialmoralityorthatisdetrimentaltopublicinterest.
Article6.Aninvention-creation,madebyapersoninexecutionofthetasksoftheentitytowhichhebelongs,ormadebyhimmainlybyusingthematerialandtechnicalmeansoftheentityisaserviceinvention-creation.Foraserviceintention-creation,therighttoapplyforapatentbelongstotheentity.Aftertheapplicationisapproved,theentityshallbethepatentee.
Foranon-serviceinvention-creation,therighttoapplyforapatentbelongstotheinventororcreator.Aftertheapplicationisapproved,theinventororcreatorshallbethepatentee.
Inrespectofaninvention-creationmadebyapersonusingthematerialandtechnicalmeansofanentitytowhichhebelongs,wheretheentityandtheinventororcreatorhaveenteredintoacontractinwhichtherighttoapplyforandownapatentisprovidedfor,suchaprovisionshallapply.
Article7.Noentityorindividualshallpreventtheinventororcreatorfromfilinganapplicationforapatentforanon-serviceinvention-creation.
Article8.Foraninvention-creationjointlymadebytwoormoreentitiesorindividuals,ormadebyanentityorindividualinexecutionofacommissiongiventoitorhimbyanotherentityorindividual,therighttoapplyforapatentbelongs,unlessotherwiseagreedupon,totheentityorindividualthatmade,ortotheentitiesorindividualsthatjointlymade,theinvention-creation.Aftertheapplicationisapproved,theentityorindividualthatappliedforitshallbethepatentee.
Article9.Wheretwoormoreapplicantsfileapplicationsforpatentfortheidenticalinvention-creation,thepatentrightshallbegrantedtotheapplicantwhoseapplicationwasfiledfirst.
Article10.Therighttoapplyforapatentandthepatentrightmaybeassigned.
Anyassignment,byaChineseentityorindividual,oftherighttoapplyforapatent,orofthepatentright,toaforeignermustbeapprovedbythecompetentdepartmentconcernedoftheStateCouncil.Wheretherighttoapplyforapatentorthepatentrightisassigned,thepartiesshallconcludeawrittencontractandregisteritwiththepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncil.ThepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilshallannouncetheregistration.Theassignmentshalltakeeffectasofthedateofregistration.
Article11.Afterthegrantofthepatentrightforaninventionorutilitymodel,exceptwhereotherwiseprovidedforinthisLaw,noentityorindividualmay,withouttheauthorizationofthepatentee,exploitthepatent,thatis,make,use,offertosell,sellorimportthepatentedproduct,orusethepatentedprocess,anduse,offertosell,sellorimporttheproductdirectlyobtainedbythepatentedprocess,forproductionorbusinesspurposes.
Afterthegrantofthepatentrightforadesign,noentityorindividualmay,withouttheauthorizationofthepatentee,exploitthepatent,thatis,make,sellorimporttheproductincorporatingitsorhispatenteddesign,forproductionorbusinesspurposes.
Article12.Anyentityorindividualexploitingthepatentofanothershallconcludewiththepatenteeawrittenlicensecontractforexploitationandpaythepatenteeafeefortheexploitationofthepatent.Thelicenseehasnorighttoauthorizeanyentityorindividual,otherthanthatreferredtointhecontractforexploitation,toexploitthepatent.
Article13.Afterthepublicationoftheapplicationforapatentforinvention,theapplicantmayrequiretheentityorindividualexploitingtheinventiontopayanappropriatefee.
Article14.Whereanypatentforinvention,belongingtoanyState-ownedenterpriseorinstitution,isofgreatsignificancetotheinterestoftheStateortothepublicinterest,thecompetentdepartmentsconcernedundertheStatecouncilandthepeople’sgovernmentsofprovinces,autonomousregionsormunicipalitiesdirectlyundertheCentralGovernmentmay,afterapprovalbytheStateCouncil,decidethatthepatentedinventionbespreadandappliedwithintheapprovedlimits,andallowdesignatedentitiestoexploitthatinvention.Theexploitingentityshall,accordingtotheregulationsoftheState,payafeeforexploitationtothepatentee.
AnypatentforinventionbelongingtoaChineseindividualoranentityundercollectiveownership,whichisofgreatsignificancetotheinterestoftheStateortothepublicinterestandisinneedofspreadingandapplication,maybetreatedalikebymakingreferencetotheprovisionsoftheprecedingparagraph.
Article15.Thepatenteehastherighttoaffixapatentmarkingandtoindicatethenumberofthepatentonthepatentedproductoronthepackingofthatproduct.
Article16.Theentitythatisgrantedapatentrightshallawardtotheinventororcreatorofaserviceinvention--creationarewardand,uponexploitationofthepatentedinvention-creation,shallpaytheinventororcreatorareasonableremunerationbasedontheextentofspreadingandapplicationandtheeconomicbenefitsyielded.
Article17.Theinventororcreatorhastherighttobenamedassuchinthepatentdocument.
Article18.Whereanyforeigner,foreignenterpriseorotherforeignorganizationhavingnohabitualresidenceorbusinessofficeinChinafilesanapplicationforapatentinChina,theapplicationshallbetreatedunderthisLawinaccordancewithanyagreementconcludedbetweenthecountrytowhichtheapplicantbelongsandChina,orinaccordancewithanyinternationaltreatytowhichbothcountriesareparty,oronthebasisoftheprincipleofreciprocity.
Article19.Whereanyforeigner,foreignenterpriseorotherforeignorganizationhavingnohabitualresidenceorbusinessofficeinChinaappliesforapatent,orhasotherpatentmatterstoattendto,inChina,itorheshallappointapatentagencydesignatedbythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCounciltoactashisoritsagent.
WhereanyChineseentityorindividualappliesforapatentorhasotherpatentmatterstoattendtointhecountry,itorhemayappointapatentagencytoactasitsorhisagent.
Thepatentagencyshallcomplywiththeprovisionsoflawsandadministrativeregulations,andhandlepatentapplicationsandotherpatentmattersaccordingtotheinstructionsofitsclients.Inrespectofthecontentsofitsclients’inventions-creations,exceptforthosethathavebeenpublishedorannounced,theagencyshallbeartheresponsibilityofkeepingthemconfidential.TheadministrativeregulationsgoverningthepatentagencyshallbeformulatedbytheStateCouncil.
Article20.WhereanyChineseentityorindividualintendstofileanapplicationinaforeigncountryforapatentforinvention-creationmadeinChina,itorheshallfilefirstanapplicationforpatentwiththepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncil,appointapatentagencydesignatedbythesaiddepartmenttoactasitsorhisagent,andcomplywiththeprovisionsofArticle4ofthisLaw.
AnyChineseentityorindividualmayfileaninternationalapplicationforpatentinaccordancewithanyinternationaltreatyconcernedtowhichChinaisparty.Theapplicantfilinganinternationalapplicationforpatentshallcomplywiththeprovisionsoftheprecedingparagraph.
ThepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilshallhandleanyinternationalapplicationforpatentinaccordancewiththeinternationaltreatyconcernedtowhichChinaisparty,thisLawandtherelevantregulationsoftheStateCouncil.
Article21.ThepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilanditsPatentReexaminationBoardshallhandleanypatentapplicationandpatent-relatedrequestaccordingtolawandinconformitywiththerequirementsforbeingobjective,fair,correctandtimely.
Untilthepublicationorannouncementoftheapplicationforapatent,staffmembersofthepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilandotherpersonsinvolvedhavethedutytokeepitscontentssecret.
CHAPTERIIREQUIREMENTSFORGRANTOFPATENTRIGHT
Article22.Anyinventionorutilitymodelforwhichpatentrightmaybegrantedmustpossessnovelty,inventivenessandpracticalapplicability.
Noveltymeansthat,beforethedateoffiling,noidenticalinventionorutilitymodelhasbeenpubliclydisclosedinpublicationsinthecountryorabroadorhasbeenpubliclyusedormadeknowntothepublicbyanyothermeansinthecountry,norhasanyotherpersonfiledpreviouslywiththePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilanapplicationwhichdescribedtheidenticalinventionorutilitymodelandwaspublishedafterthesaiddateoffiling.
Inventivenessmeansthat,ascomparedwiththetechnologyexistingbeforethedateoffiling,theinventionhasprominentsubstantivefeaturesandrepresentsanotableprogressandthattheutilitymodelhassubstantivefeaturesandrepresentsprogress.
Practicalapplicabilitymeansthattheinventionorutilitymodelcanbemadeorusedandcanproduceeffectiveresults.
Article23.Anydesignforwhichpatentrightmaybegrantedmustnotbeidenticalwithandsimilartoanydesignwhich,beforethedateoffiling,hasbeenpubliclydisclosedinpublicationsinthecountryorabroadorhasbeenpubliclyusedinthecountry,andmustnotbeinconflictwithanypriorrightofanyotherperson.
Article24.Aninvention-creationforwhichapatentisappliedfordoesnotloseitsnoveltywhere,withinsixmonthsbeforethedateoffiling,oneofthefollowingeventsoccurred:
(1)whereitwasfirstexhibitedataninternationalexhibitionsponsoredorrecognizedbytheChineseGovernment;
(2)whereitwasfirstmadepublicataprescribedacademicortechnologicalmeeting;
(3)whereitwasdisclosedbyanypersonwithouttheconsentoftheapplicant.
Article25.Foranyofthefollowing,nopatentrightshallbegranted:
(1)scientificdiscoveries;
(2)rulesandmethodsformentalactivities;
(3)methodsforthediagnosisorforthetreatmentofdiseases;
(4)animalandplantvarieties;
(5)substancesobtainedbymeansofnucleartransformation.
Forprocessesusedinproducingproductsreferredtoinitems(4)oftheprecedingparagraph,patentrightmaybegrantedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisLaw.
CHAPTERIIIAPPLICATIONFORPATENT
Article26.Whereanapplicationforapatentforinventionorutilitymodelisfiled,arequest,adescriptionanditsabstract,andclaimsshallbesubmitted.
Therequestshallstatethetitleoftheinventionorutilitymodel,thenameoftheinventororcreator,thenameandtheaddressoftheapplicantandotherrelatedmatters.
Thedescriptionshallsetforththeinventionorutilitymodelinamannersufficientlyclearandcompletesoastoenableapersonskilledintherelevantfieldoftechnologytocarryitout;wherenecessary,drawingsarerequired.Theabstractshallstatebrieflythemaintechnicalpointsoftheinventionorutilitymodel.
Theclaimsshallbesupportedbythedescriptionandshallstatetheextentofthepatentprotectionaskedfor.
Article27.Whereanapplicationforapatentfordesignisfiled,arequest,drawingsorphotographsofthedesignshallbesubmitted,andtheproductincorporatingthedesignandtheclasstowhichthatproductbelongsshallbeindicated.
Article28.ThedateonwhichthePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilreceivestheapplicationshallbethedateoffiling.Iftheapplicationissentbymail,thedateofmailingindicatedbythepostmarkshallbethedateoffiling.
Article29.Where,withintwelvemonthsfromthedateonwhichanyapplicantfirstfiledinaforeigncountryanapplicationforaPatentforinventionorutilitymodel,orwithinsixmonthsfromthedateonwhichanyapplicantfirstfiledinaforeigncountryanapplicationforapatentfordesign,heoritfilesinChinaanapplicationforapatentforthesamesubjectmatter,heoritmay,inaccordancewithanyagreementconcludedbetweenthesaidforeigncountryandChina,orinaccordancewithanyinternationaltreatytowhichbothcountriesareparty,oronthebasisoftheprincipleofmutualrecognitionoftherightofpriority,enjoyarightofpriority.
Where,withintwelvemonthsfromthedateonwhichanyapplicantfirstfiledinChinaanapplicationforapatentforinventionorutilitymodel,heoritfileswiththePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilanapplicationforapatentforthesamesubjectmatter,heoritmayenjoyarightofpriority.
Article30.Anyapplicantwhoclaimstherightofpriorityshallmakeawrittendeclarationwhentheapplicationisfiled,andsubmit,withinthreemonths,acopyofthepatentapplicationdocumentwhichwasfirstfiled;iftheapplicantfailstomakethewrittendeclarationortomeetthetimelimitforsubmittingthepatentapplicationdocument,theclaimtotherightofpriorityshallbedeemednottohavebeenmade.
Article31.Anapplicationforapatentforinventionorutilitymodelshallbelimitedtooneinventionorutilitymodel.Twoormoreinventionsorutilitymode1sbelongingtoasinglegeneralinventiveconceptmaybefiledasoneapplication.
Anapplicationforapatentfordesignshallbelimitedtoonedesignincorporatedinoneproduct.Twoormoredesignswhichareincorporatedinproductsbelongingtothesameclassandaresoldorusedinsetsmaybefiledasoneapplication.
Article32.Anapplicantmaywithdrawhisoritsapplicationforapatentatanytimebeforethepatentrightisgranted.
Article33.Anapplicantmayamendhisoritsapplicationforapatent,buttheamendmenttotheapplicationforapatentforinventionorutilitymodelmaynotgobeyondthescopeofthedisclosurecontainedintheinitialdescriptionandclaims,andtheamendmenttotheapplicationforapatentfordesignmaynotgobeyondthescopeofthedisclosureasshownintheinitialdrawingsorphotographs.
CHAPTERIVEXAMINATIONANDAPPROVALOFAPPLICATIONFORPATENT
Article34.Where,afterreceivinganapplicationforapatentforinvention,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncil,uponpreliminaryexamination,findstheapplicationtobeinconformitywiththerequirementsofthisLaw,itshallpublishtheapplicationpromptlyaftertheexpirationofeighteenmonthsfromthedateoffiling.Upontherequestoftheapplicant,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilpublishestheapplicationearlier.
Article35.Upontherequestoftheapplicantforapatentforinvention,madeatanytimewithinthreeyearsfromthedateoffiling,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilwillproceedtoexaminetheapplicationastoitssubstance.If,withoutanyjustifiedreason,theapplicantfailstomeetthetimelimitforrequestingexaminationastosubstance,theapplicationshallbedeemedtohavebeenwithdrawn.
ThePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilmay,onitsowninitiative,proceedtoexamineanyapplicationforapatentforinventionastoitssubstancewhenitdeemsitnecessary.
Article36.Whentheapplicantforapatentforinventionrequestsexaminationastosubstance,heorlitshallfurnishpre-filingdatereferencematerialsconcerningtheinvention.Foranapplicationforapatentforinventionthathasbeenalreadyfiledinaforeigncountry,thepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilmayasktheapplicanttofurnishwithinaspecifiedtimelimitdocumentsconcerninganysearchmadeforthepurposeofexaminingthatapplication,orconcerningtheresultsofanyexaminationmade,inthatcountry.If,attheexpirationofthespecifiedtimelimit,withoutanyjustifiedreason,thesaiddocumentsarenotfurnished,theapplicationshallbedeemedtohavebeenwithdrawn.
Article37.WherethePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncil,afterithasmadetheexaminationastosubstanceoftheapplicationforapatentforinvention,findsthattheapplicationisnotinconformitywiththeprovisionsofthisLaw,itshallnotifytheapplicantandrequesthimorittosubmit,withinaspecifiedtimelimit,hisoritsobservationsortoamendtheapplication.If,withoutanyjustifiedreason,thetimelimitformakingresponseisnotmet,theapplicationshallbedeemedtohavebeenwithdrawn.
Article38.Where,aftertheapplicanthasmadetheobservationsoramendments,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilfindsthattheapplicationforapatentforinventionisstillnotinconformitywiththeprovisionsofthisLaw,theapplicationshallberejected.
Article39.Whereitisfoundafterexaminationastosubstancethatthereisnocauseforrejectionoftheapplicationforapatentforinvention,thepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilshallmakeadecisiontograntthepatentrightforinvention,issuethecertificateofpatentforinvention,andregisterandannounceit.Thepatentrightforinventionshalltakeeffectasofthedateoftheannouncement.
Article40.Whereitisfoundafterpreliminaryexaminationthatthereisnocauseforrejectionoftheapplicationforapatentforutilitymodelordesign,thepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilshallmakeadecisiontograntthepatentrightforutilitymodelorthepatentrightfordesign,issuetherelevantpatentcertificate,andregisterandannounceit.Thepatentrightforutilitymodelordesignshalltakeeffectasofthedateoftheannouncement.
Article41.ThepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilshallsetupaPatentReexaminationBoard.Whereanapplicantforpatentisnotsatisfiedwiththedecisionofthesaiddepartmentrejectingtheapplication,theapplicantmay,withinthreemonthsfromthedateofreceiptofthenotification,requestthePatentReexaminationBoardtomakeareexamination.ThePatentReexaminationBoardshall,afterreexamination,makeadecisionandnotifytheapplicantforpatent.
WheretheapplicantforpatentisnotsatisfiedwiththedecisionofthePatentReexaminationBoard,itorhemay,withinthreemonthsfromthedateofreceiptofthenotification,institutelegalproceedingsinthepeople’scourt.
CHAPTERVDURATION,CESSATIONANDINVALIDATIONOFPATENTRIGHT
Article42.Thedurationofpatentrightforinventionsshallbetwentyyears,thedurationofpatentrightforutilitymodelsandpatentrightfordesignsshallbetenyears,countedfromthedateoffiling.
Article43.Thepatenteeshallpayanannualfeebeginningwiththeyearinwhichthepatentrightwasgranted.
Article44.Inanyofthefollowingcases,thepatentrightshallceasebeforetheexpirationofitsduration:
(1)whereanannualfeeisnotpaidasprescribed;
(2)wherethepatenteeabandonshisoritspatentrightbyawrittendeclaration.
AnycessationofthepatentrightshallberegisteredandannouncedbythePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncil.
Article45.Where,startingfromthedateoftheannouncementofthegrantofthepatentrightbythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncil,anyentityorindividualconsidersthatthegrantofthesaidpatentrightisnotinconformitywiththerelevantprovisionsofthisLaw,itorhemayrequestthePatentReexaminationBoardtodeclarethepatentrightinvalid.
Article46.ThePatentReexaminationBoardshallexaminetherequestforinvalidationofthepatentrightpromptly,makeadecisiononitandnotifythepersonwhomadetherequestandthepatentee.ThedecisiondeclaringthepatentrightinvalidshallberegisteredandannouncedbythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncil.
WherethepatenteeorthepersonwhomadetherequestforinvalidationisnotsatisfiedwiththedecisionofthePatentReexaminationBoarddeclaringthepatentrightinvalidorupholdingthepatentright,suchpartymay,withinthreemonthsfromreceiptofthenotificationofthedecision,institutelegalproceedingsinthepeople’scourt.Thepeople’scourtshallnotifythepersonthatistheopponentpartyofthatpartyintheinvalidationproceduretoappearasathirdpartyinthelegalproceedings.
Article47.Anypatentrightwhichhasbeendeclaredinvalidshallbedeemedtobenon-existentfromthebeginning.
Thedecisiondeclaringthepatentrightinvalidshallhavenoretroactiveeffectonanyjudgementorrulingofpatentinfringementwhichhasbeenpronouncedandenforcedbythepeople’scourt,onanydecisionconcerningthehandlingofadisputeoverpatentinfringementwhichhasbeencompliedwithorcompulsorilyexecuted,oronanycontractofpatentlicenseorofassignmentofpatentrightwhichhasbeenperformedpriortothedeclarationofthepatentrightinvalid;however,thedamagecausedtootherpersonsinbadfaithonthepartofthepatenteeshallbecompensated.
If,pursuanttotheprovisionsoftheprecedingparagraph,thepatenteeortheassignorofthepatentrightmakesnorepaymenttothelicenseeortheassigneeofthepatentrightofthefeefortheexploitationofthepatentorofthepricefortheassignmentofthepatentright,whichisobviouslycontrarytotheprincipleofequity,thepatenteeortheassignorofthepatentrightshallrepaythewholeorpartofthefeefortheexploitationofthepatentorofthepricefortheassignmentofthepatentrighttothelicenseeortheassigneeofthepatentright.
CHAPTERVICOMPULSORYLICENSEFOREXPLOITATIONOFTHEPATENT
Article48.Whereanyentitywhichisqualifiedtoexploittheinventionorutilitymodelhasmaderequestsforauthorizationfromthepatenteeofaninventionorutilitymodeltoexploititsorhispatentonreasonabletermsandconditionsandsucheffortshavenotbeensuccessfulwithinareasonableperiodoftime,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilmay,upontherequestofthatentity,grantacompulsorylicensetoexploitthepatentforinventionorutilitymodel.
Article49.Whereanationalemergencyoranyextraordinarystateofaffairsoccurs,orwherethepublicinterestsorequires,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilmaygrantacompulsorylicensetoexploitthepatentforinventionorutilitymodel.
Article50.Wheretheinventionorutilitymodelforwhichthepatentrighthasbeengrantedinvolvesimportanttechnicaladvanceofconsiderableeconomicsignificanceinrelationtoanotherinventionorutilitymodelforwhichapatentrighthasbeengrantedearlierandtheexploitationofthelaterinventionorutilitymodeldependsontheexploitationoftheearlierinventionorutilitymodel,thepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilmay,upontherequestofthelaterpatentee,grantacompulsorylicensetoexploittheearlierinventionorutilitymodel.
Where,accordingtotheprecedingparagraph,acompulsorylicenseisgranted,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilmay,upontherequestoftheearlierpatentee,alsograntacompulsorylicensetoexploitthelaterinventionorutilitymodel.
Article51.Theentityorindividualrequesting,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthisLaw,acompulsorylicenseforexploitationshallfurnishproofthatitorhehasnotbeenabletoconcludewiththepatenteealicensecontractforexploitationonreasonabletermsandconditions.
Article52.ThedecisionmadebythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilgrantingacompulsorylicenseforexploitationshallbenotifiedpromptlytothepatenteeconcerned,andshallberegisteredandannounced.
Inthedecisiongrantingthecompulsorylicenseforexploitation,thescopeanddurationoftheexploitationshallbespecifiedonthebasisofthereasonsjustifyingthegrant.Ifandwhenthecircumstanceswhichledtosuchcompulsorylicenseceasetoexistandareunlikelytorecur,thepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilmay,afterreviewupontherequestofthepatentee,terminatethecompulsorylicense.
Article53.Anyentityorindividualthatisgrantedacompulsorylicenseforexploitationshallnothaveanexclusiverighttoexploitandshallnothavetherighttoauthorizeexploitationbyanyothers.
Article54.Theentityorindividualthatisgrantedacompulsorylicenseforexploitationshallpaytothepatenteeareasonableexploitationfee,theamountofwhichshallbefixedbybothpartiesinconsultations.Wherethepartiesfailtoreachanagreement,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilshalladjudicate.
Article55.WherethepatenteeisnotsatisfiedwiththedecisionofthepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilgrantingacompulsorylicenseforexploitation,orwherethepatenteeortheentityorindividualthatisgrantedthecompulsorylicenseforexploitationisnotsatisfiedwiththerulingmadebythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncilregardingthefeepayableforexploitation,itorhemay,withinthreemonthsfromthereceiptofthedateofnotification,institutelegalproceedingsinthepeople’scourt.
CHAPTERVIIPROTECTIONOFPATENTRIGHT
Article56.Theextentofprotectionofthepatentrightforinventionorutilitymodelshallbedeterminedbythetermsoftheclaims.Thedescriptionandtheappendeddrawingsmaybeusedtointerprettheclaims.
Theextentofprotectionofthepatentrightfordesignshallbedeterminedbytheproductincorporatingthepatenteddesignasshowninthedrawingsorphotographs.
Whereanyinfringementdisputerelatestoapatentforinventionforaprocessforthemanufactureofanewproduct,anyentityorindividualmanufacturingtheidenticalproductshallfurnishprooftoshowthattheprocessusedinthemanufactureofitsorhisproductisdifferentfromthepatentedprocess.Wheretheinfringementrelatestoapatentforutilitymodel,thepeople’scourtortheadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairsmayaskthepatenteetofurnishasearchreportmadebythepatentadministrationdepartmentundertheStateCouncil.
Article58.Whereanypersonpassesoffthepatentofanotherpersonashisown,heshall,inadditiontobearinghiscivilliabilityaccordingtolaw,beorderedbytheadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairstoamendhisact,andtheordershallbeannounced.Hisillegalearningsshallbeconfiscatedand,inaddition,hemaybeimposedafineofnotmorethanthreetimeshisillegalearningsand,ifthereisnoillegalearnings,afineofnotmorethanRMB50,000yuan.Wheretheinfringementconstitutesacrime,heshallbeprosecutedforhiscriminalliability.
Article59.Whereanypersonpassesanynon-patentedproductoffaspatentedproductorpassesanynon-patentedprocessoffaspatentedprocess,heshallbeorderedbytheadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairstoamendhisact,andtheordershallbeannounced,andhemaybeimposedafineofnomorethanRMB50,000yuan.
Article60.Theamountofcompensationforthedamagecausedbytheinfringementofthepatentrightshallbeassessedonthebasisofthelossessufferedbythepatenteeortheprofitswhichtheinfringerhasearnedthroughtheinfringement.Ifitisdifficulttodeterminethelosseswhichthepatenteehassufferedortheprofitswhichtheinfringerhasearned,theamountmaybeassessedbyreferencetotheappropriatemultipleoftheamountoftheexploitationfeeofthatpatentundercontractuallicense.
Article61.Whereanypatenteeorinterestedpartyhasevidencetoprovethatanotherpersonisinfringingorwillsooninfringeitsorhispatentrightandthatifsuchinfringingactisnotcheckedorpreventedfromoccurringintime,itislikelytocauseirreparableharmtoitorhim,itorhemay,beforeanylegalproceedingsareinstituted,requestthepeople’scourttoadoptmeasuresfororderingthesuspensionofrelevantactsandthepreservationofproperty.
Thepeople’scourt,whendealingwiththerequestmentionedintheprecedingparagraph,shallapplytheprovisionsofArticle93throughArticle96andofArticle99oftheCivilProcedureLawofthePeople’sRepublicofChina.
Article62.Prescriptionforinstitutinglegalproceedingsconcerningtheinfringementofpatentrightistwoyearscountedfromthedateonwhichthepatenteeoranyinterestedpartyobtainsorshouldhaveobtainedknowledgeoftheinfringingact.
Wherenoappropriatefeeforexploitationoftheinvention,subjectofanapplicationforpatentforinvention,ispaidduringtheperiodfromthepublicationoftheapplicationtothegrantofpatentright,prescriptionforinstitutinglegalproceedingsbythepatenteetodemandthesaidfeeistwoyearscountedfromthedateonwhichthepatenteeobtainsorshouldhaveobtainedknowledgeoftheexploitationofhisinventionbyanotherperson.However,wherethepatenteehasalreadyobtainedorshouldhaveobtainedknowledgebeforethedateofthegrantofthepatentright,theprescriptionshallbecountedfromthedateofthegrant.
Article63.Noneofthefollowingshallbedeemedaninfringementofthepatentright:
(l)Where,afterthesaleofapatentedproductthatwasmadeorimportedbythepatenteeorwiththeauthorizationofthepatentee,orofaproductthatwasdirectlyobtainedbyusingthepatentedprocess,anyotherpersonuses,offerstosellorsellsthatproduct;
(2)Where,beforethedateoffilingoftheapplicationforpatent,anypersonwhohasalreadymadetheidenticalproduct,usedtheidenticalprocess,ormadenecessarypreparationsforitsmakingorusing,continuestomakeoruseitwithintheoriginalscopeonly;
(3)Whereanyforeignmeansoftransportwhichtemporarilypassesthroughtheterritory,territorialwatersorterritorialairspaceofChinausesthepatentconcerned,inaccordancewithanyagreementconcludedbetweenthecountrytowhichtheforeignmeansoftransportbelongsandChina,orinaccordancewithanyinternationaltreatytowhichbothcountriesareparty,oronthebasisoftheprincipleofreciprocity,foritsownneeds,initsdevicesandinstallations;
(4)Whereanypersonusesthepatentconcernedsolelyforthepurposesofscientificresearchandexperimentation.
Anypersonwho,forproductionandbusinesspurposes,usesorsellsapatentedproductoraproductthatwasdirectlyobtainedbyusingapatentedprocess,withoutknowingthatitwasmadeandsoldwithouttheauthorizationofthepatentee,shallnotbeliabletocompensateforthedamageofthepatenteeifhecanprovethatheobtainstheproductfromalegitimatesource.
Article64.Whereanyperson,inviolationoftheprovisionsofArticle20ofthisLaw,filesinaforeigncountryanapplicationforapatentthatdivulgesanimportantsecretoftheState,heshallbesubjecttodisciplinarysanctionbytheentitytowhichhebelongsorbythecompetentauthorityconcernedatthehigherlevel.Whereacrimeisestablished,thepersonconcernedshallbeprosecutedforhiscriminalliabilityaccordingtothelaw.
Article65.Whereanypersonusurpstherightofaninventororcreatortoapplyforapatentforanon-serviceinvention-creation,orusurpsanyotherrightorinterestofaninventororcreator,prescribedbythisLaw,heshallbesubjecttodisciplinarysanctionbytheentitytowhichhebelongsorbythecompetentauthorityatthehigherlevel.Article66.Theadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairsmaynottakepartinrecommendinganypatentedproductforsaletothepublicoranysuchcommercialactivities.
Wheretheadministrativeauthorityforpatentaffairsviolatestheprovisionsoftheprecedingparagraph,itshallbeorderedbytheauthorityatthenexthigherlevelorthesupervisoryauthoritytocorrectitsmistakesandeliminatethebadeffects.Theillegalearnings,ifany,shallbeconfiscated.Wherethecircumstancesareserious,thepersonswhoaredirectlyinchargeandtheotherpersonswhoaredirectlyresponsibleshallbegivendisciplinarysanctioninaccordancewithlaw.
Article67.WhereanyStatefunctionaryworkingforpatentadministrationoranyotherStatefunctionaryconcernedneglectshisduty,abuseshispower,orengagesinmalpracticeforpersonalgain,whichconstitutesacrime,shallbeprosecutedforhiscriminalliabilityinaccordancewithlaw.Ifthecaseisnotseriousenoughtoconstituteacrime,heshallbegivendisciplinarysanctioninaccordancewithlaw.
CHAPTERVIIISUPPLEMENTARYPROVISIONS
Article68.Anyapplicationforapatentfiledwith,andanyotherproceedingsbefore,thePatentAdministrationDepartmentUndertheStateCouncilshallbesubjecttothepaymentofafeeasprescribed.
Article69.ThisLawshallenterintoforceonAprill,1985.
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