The State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China released its No. 121 notice, announcing the patent agencies that passed the 2006 annual check, those that did not take the annual check or failed the check and those that applied for revocation.

Sources said that those patent agencies that did not take the annual check or failed the check may not conduct new patent agency business at the State Intellectual Property Office or local Intellectual Property Offices until they pass the next annual check. For agencies that applied for revocation in this annual check, they must handle all outstanding issues properly and notify their respective clients. In addition, they are required to file termination of various application cases or transfer of these cases at the State Intellectual Property Office within one month. The results of such cases must be filed with the Patent Agency Administration Division of the Legal Affairs Department, State Intellectual Property Office. The Patent Agency shall be held liable for any losses caused by its violation of applicable regulations or its agents' failure to fulfill their responsibilities. The State Intellectual Property Office will take disciplinary action against the party accountable pursuant to Regulations on Patent Commissioning and Disciplinary Rules of Patent Agencies (Trial).

2007-01-29

2007-01-29