1.Receiving and Handling of PCT International Applications

In 2003, SIPO received 1,165 international applications, 214 more than the previous year. Among those received, 1,042 used Chinese as the working language and 123 used English as the working language.

Among those PCT applications received, 142 were related to mechanics, 419 to electronics, 71 to applied chemistry, 236 to basic chemistry, 297 to physics and other technical fields. Of all the PCT international applications, 41.6% were service inventions.

2. PCT International Searching

In 2003, As an International Searching Authority under the PCT, SIPO established searching reports for 1,164 international applications and conducted international searches for 22 international applications, which were transferred from the International Bureau.

3. PCT International Preliminary Examination

In the process of conducting international preliminary examinations, SIPO received 700 requests for international preliminary examination and conducted 655 preliminary examination reports.

4. PCT International Applications Entering the Designated and Elected Office

By December 31,2003, SIPO received 24,261 international applications designating China and entering into China's national phase, 12 of which were for utility models and the remainder for invention patents, with an increase of 1,677 comparing with the previous year.

According to statistics by WIPO, 110,065 international applications were received by WIPO's International Bureau in 2003, 3.49 % down over the previous year. PCT international applications originating in various countries designated China in 2003, and 88,600 international applications were published, accounting for 84.49% of the total international applications.