1.Receiving and Handling of PCT International Applications

In 2003, SIPO received 1165 international applications, 214 more than the previous year. Among those received, 1041 used Chinese as the working language and 123 used English as the working language.

Except 2 applications withdrawn on the applicants' initiative and 2 deemed as withdrawn, 142 were related to mechanics, 410 to electronics, 71 to applied chemistry, 236 to basic chemistry, 297 to physics and other technical fields.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 1164 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, 10 notices announcing not establishing international searching reports had been sent. In the same year, SIPO 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. 655 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

By December 31,2003, SIPO received 24,260 international applications designating China and entering into China's national phase, 13 of which were for utility models and the remainder for patents for inventions, with an increase of 1669 comparing with the previous year.

According to statistics cited in the pamphlet published by WIPO, 110,065 international applications were received by WIPO's International Bureau in 2003,3.49% up 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.

2004-03-09

2004-03-09