April 28, the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) officially opened an online patent fee payment system. As of April 28, Internet users could pay the patent fees both online and offline.

The system will allow patent applicants to pay fees online. The applicants need to open online payment function to their China UnionPay bankcards.

The system provides payment services for 24 hours a day and seven days a week to facilitate users. Moreover, it provides real-time query services for applicants to help them avoid possible trouble and shorten the period between payment and patent approval so as to facilitate patent examination efficiency.

The launch of the system is expected to provide great convenience to users, effectively increase quality and efficiency of patent examination and save costs. It is a successful breakthrough of payment method made by the SIPO, and it reflected an improvement in the examination service capacity of the SIPO.

2012-05-11