1.Receiving and Handling of PCT International Applications

In 2004, SIPO received 1,592 international applications, 427 more than 2003. Among those received, 1,425 used Chinese as the working language and 167 used English as the working language. In the same year, the Office also searched 172 applications received by the International Bureau. 2 applications withdrawn on the applicants?initiative and 2 deemed as withdrawn, 202 were related to mechanics, 243 to electricity, 425 to telecommunications, 129 to chemistry, 196 to pharmaceuticals, 316 to optronics, 253 to materials. Of all the PCT international applications in 2004, 90% were service inventions.

2. PCT International Searching

In 2004, as an International Searching Authority under the PCT, SIPO established searching reports for1,274 international applications, and communicated them respectively to the International Bureau of WIPO and the applicants according to the prescribed time limits of the PCT. At the same time, 5 notices announcing not establishing international searching reports had been sent.

3. PCT International Preliminary Examination

In 2004, in the process of conducting international preliminary examinations, SIPO received 518 demands for international preliminary examination. 534 preliminary examination reports were made and were communicated to the International Bureau and to the applicants.
 
4. PCT International Applications Entering the Designated and Elected Office

In 2004, SIPO received 32,438 international applications designating China and entering into China's national phase, 17 of which were for utility models and the remainder for patents for inventions, with an increase of 8,165 comparing with 2003.

According to statistics cited in the pamphlet published by WIPO, 120,000 international applications were received by WIPO's International Bureau in 2004, 8.27 % up over the previous year. PCT international applications originating in various countries designated China in 2004, and 92,356 international applications were published, accounting for 77% of the total international applications.