SIPO released the Several Rules on Patent Applications for Taiwanese Compatriots on November 15, laying out specific provisions on patent application, examination, qualifying the request for priority filed by Taiwan Compatriots. The rules became effective on November 22, 2010,

Under the rules, Taiwan Compatriots shall have the priority of application in Taiwan if the applications meet the requirements of the applicant filed the invention or utility model applications within 12 months or design application within 6 months both in Taiwai IP office and SIPO for the first time, the date of the earlier application Taiwan compatriots filing should be after September 12,2010.

(China IP News)