CWS.ATR.PI.2010.CN

Annual Technical Report 2010 on Patent Information Activities submitted by China (CWS/ATR/PI/2010/CN)

Where URLs are requested below, it is preferred that either URLs which are likely to remain stable over time (three years or more) are provided, or home (main) page URLs are provided with a short explanation of how to access the corresponding information.

The term "patent" covers utility models and Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs). Offices which issue design patents should report their design patent information activities in their Annual Technical Reports on Industrial Design Information Activities.

I. Evolution of patent activities

Changes experienced in terms of application filings and grants with respect to the previous year

In 2010, the State Intellectual Property Office (hereinafter SIPO) received 391,177 invention applications, a 24.4% increase compared to 2008, while inventions granted were 135,110, with a 5.2% increase.
There were 409,836 utility model applications filed in 2010, a 31.9% increase compared to 2009, and utility models granted were 344,472 with a 69.0% increase.

Trends or areas experiencing rapid changes with respect to the previous year

Inventions
Among the technical fields (according to the definition of the International Patent Classification) in which the number of applications filed in 2010 exceeded 8,000, the following has experienced rapid changes compared to 2009:
The number of applications in Class H02 (Generation; Conversion; Distribution of electric power) was 10,506, a 41.3％ increase.
The number of applications in Class C12 (Biochemistry; Beer; Spirits; Wine; Microbiology) was 9,143, a 41.0% increase.
The number of applications in Class C08 （Organic macromolecular compounds） was 9,390, a 38.9% increase.
The number of applications in Class A01 （Agriculture; Forestry; Animal husbandry; Fishery) was 8,147, a 38.8% increase.
The number of applications in Class G06 (Computing; Calculating; Counting) was 22,731, a 35.9% increase.
The number of applications in Class A23 (Foods or foodstuffs; Their treatment) was 10,100, a 33.8% increase.

Utility models
Among the technical fields (according to the definition of the International Patent Classification) in which the number of applications filed in 2010 exceeded 10,000, the following has experienced rapid changes compared to 2009:
The number of applications in Class B65 (Conveying; Packing filamentary material) was 15,202, a 48.4% increase.
The number of applications in Class A47 (Furniture; Domestic articles or appliances) was 28,405, a47.9% increase.
The number of applications in Class A61 (Medical or veterinary science; Hygiene) was 23,763, a 46.4% increase.
The number of applications in Class B23 (Machine tools) was 10,049, a 43.4% increase.
The number of applications in Class H02 (Generation; Conversion; Distribution of electric power) was 14,071, a 34.7% increase.
The number of applications in Class B60 (Vehicles in general) was 10,001, a 33.0% increase.

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide statistics related to patents

Chinese：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/tjxx/;
English：http://english.sipo.gov.cn/statistics/

II. Matters concerning the generation, reproduction, distribution and use of primary and secondary sources of patent information

Publishing, printing, copying (main types of publications of the Office in the field of patent information, etc.)

Nowadays, SIPO not only promotes the electronic publication of patent information on the Internet, but also keeps the traditional medium of paper.

Main types of announcements of the Office in the field of patent information

Patent gazettes
Patent gazettes for inventions and utility models are published in paper and TIFF formats once a week with the bibliographic data, abstracts and representing drawings, legal status, indexes, etc.
Patent specifications
Specifications of inventions published, granted and utility models granted are published together with patent gazettes once a week in TIFF formats, with claims, descriptions and drawings.
Patent certificates
The patent certificates for inventions, utility models and designs are issued periodically.

Mass storage media used (paper, microforms, optical storage, etc.)

The above-mentioned documents are stored in the medium of DVD and HDD.

Word processing and office automation

The paper filings are scanned and converted into the electronic image data for subsequent procedures. The bibliographic data are manually collected twice, and then the two sets of data are compared automatically to find the differences so as to eliminate the clerical errors.

(New) techniques used for the generation of patent information (printing, recording, photocomposing, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), etc.)

Patent gazettes
By using electronic scanning and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technologies in the data processing, the documents of patent gazettes in TIFF format edited and typesetted are published in paper, optical disks and on the Internet.
Patent specification
Image files in TIFF format are generated by scanning, and after content selection and layout design the files are printed into pamphlets of specifications by using digital printing equipments and accessible on the Internet.

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide access to online publication of patent documents and gazettes, and to other primary and secondary sources of patent information, including patent publication servers and download of bulk patent data

Chinese
Patent gazette：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zwgs/zlgb/；
Patent search：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zljs/；
English
Patent Search：
http://59.151.99.140/sipo_EN/search/tabSearch.do?method=init

III. Matters concerning abstracting, classifying, reclassifying and indexing of technical information contained in patent documents

Abstracting, reviewing, translating

SIPO provides translation service from Chinese to English. In 2010 SIPO continued translating Chinese patent abstracts, titles, the information of applicants and inventors. SIPO also made great efforts in collecting users’ feedbacks for the Chinese-English Machine Translation System, resulting in further improvement on the system’s translation quality.

Classification¹, preclassification² (if applicable), and reclassification³ activities; Classification system used, e.g., International Patent Classification (IPC), other classification (please indicate whether or not patent documents are classified by your Office and, if so, which classification is used)

During 2010, 690,000 new applications were classified according to the International Patent Classification.
About 8，500 documents were reclassified due to the entry into force of the version of the IPC (2010.01).

Coordinate indexing (domestic deep indexing systems, keyword indexing)

Titles, abstracts and main claims of inventions published, granted and utility models granted are indexed with keywords

Hybrid system indexing

No activities.

Bibliographic data and full-text processing

According to the "China Patent Data Element Standard" based on WIPO standard ST.36, the data processed by SIPO includes inventions published, granted and utility models granted.

IV. Search file establishment and upkeep

File building

The full image data of inventions published, granted and utility models granted since 1985, as well as the bibliographic data, abstracts and main claims are added to the search file, which is updated every two weeks.

Updating

See "File building".

Storage, including mass storage media

Except that EPOQUE system uses an independent magnetic disk array, all the other search files are stored in uniform magnetic disk arrays and backuped with magnetic tapes.

Documentation from other offices maintained and/or considered part of the available search file

Via data exchange and purchase, SIPO collects the patent documentations from most countries in the world, and among these US, JP, EP, and WO files are added in the search file:

V. Activities in the field of computerized and other mechanized search systems

In-house systems (online/offline)

Following search systems are provided by SIPO:
CPRS
By using a dedicated client application, examiners of SIPO can access CPRS from the desktops. The system contains the Chinese patents since 1985, and provides the search entries of the bibliographic data, abstracts, claims and keywords, via which examiners can retrieve the full image data of the patents. Besides, the system also incorporates the patent documents from US, JP, EP and WO, and its full image data can be retrievable by publication number.
EPOQUE
EPOQUE can be accessed by a dedicated client application from the desktops, which has become the main foreign documentations search system used by examiners.
S system
S system has powerful retrieval functions and a complete database, helps examiners achieve high recall and accuracy ratio in terms of retrieving, helps SIPO improve the quality of search and examination.

External databases

SIPO's examiners can access the NPL databases including STN, ISI Web of Knowledge, Elsevier Science Direct, IEEE/IEE Electronic Library.

Administrative management systems (e.g., register, legal status, statistics and administrative support)

Electronic Filing System (EFS)
SIPO launched the EFS in 2004 in order to provide online filing service for applicants. In 2007, e-PCT system was also put into production to accept electronic PCT-SAFE filings.
E system
SIPO launched the E system in February 10, 2010. E system realizes computerizing all patent administrations, such as filing, examining, publishing, granting, and appeal procedure. The system established a paperless environment facilitating examination based on full text. In 2010, SIPO furthered the promotion of electronic filing system, 538 patent agent offices have used this electronic filing system until December 31,2010, the electronic filing rate of 183 patent agent offices reached 100%. In the December of 2010, the electronic filing rate hit a record high of 52.4%.

Equipment used (hardware, including the types of terminal and network used, and software), carriers used

Examiners can access the Intranet with 10Gbps core switch and 100Mbps link to desktops for the network resources.

Existing online thesauri; their structure, presentation and usefulness for computerized searches

No activities.

VI. Administration of the industrial property office library, and information products and services available to the public (relating to facilities, e.g., for lodging applications, for assisting clients on searching procedures, for obtaining official publications and registry extracts)

Planning, administration, automation, security, buildings

Patent Documentation Library
Patent Documentation Library offers documents reading, inquiry, search, replication and training services and is equipped with 60 computers for the public to access SIPO’s intranet and Internet information resources.
Intellectual Property Library
The Intellectual Property Library collects domestic and international intellectual property books, journals and electronic publications.
Science and Technology Library
The Science and Technology Library collects domestic and international technical books, journals and electronic publications commonly used in the patent examination.

Collecting, acquisitions, preparation

Currently SIPO collects patent data, non-patent literature, domestic and international books and journals via data exchange and purchase.

Collection management, preservation

Books are preserved with the storage number and classifications and put on shelves.

Interlibrary lending, resource sharing, networks of patent libraries in the country

No activities.

Information services available to the public (including computerized services and search files contained in libraries remote from your Office and patent information posted by your Office on the World Wide Web)

The public service provided by SIPO includes:
Call center
The center offers information consultation to the public free of charge by face-to-face, telephone, online and mail.
Official website
The official website of SIPO offers search and inquiry services in both Chinese and English. Over 5 million records of Chinese patent data since 1985 and Chinese to English machine translation service are made available to the general public. In 2010, the official website of SIPO received 3.7 billion hits in total.
Local Patent Information Center
SIPO has set up 47 local patent information centers across the country and provided them with patent data. These centers provide search and inquiry services for the public.
Local Patent Receiving Offices
SIPO has set up Local Patent Receiving Offices in 26 cities all over the country in order to accept patent filings and provide inquiry service for the public.

URLs of web pages of the Office's website for electronic filing of patent applications

SIPO provides the following website for the online filing: http://www.cponline.gov.cn/,

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide information on business procedures such as: filing, publication, examination and grant procedures related to patents; opposition and appeal procedures related to patents; etc.

Chinese: http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zlsqzn/sqq/;
English: http://www.sipo.gov.cn/sipo_English/about/examinationAffairs/200804/t20080416_380173.htm；
http://www.sipo.gov.cn/sipo_English/about/examinationAffairs/200804/t20080416_380170.htm

URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that provide a description of information products and services offered by the Office (e.g., patent search service(s) and patent databases), as well as information on how to access and utilize them

Information Products
"China Patent Specification" optical disk collects the specifications of inventions and utility models since 1985.
"China Patent Abstract Databases" optical disk collects nearly 3.7 million pieces of patents information (including inventions, utility models and designs) since 1985. The information of each piece includes the inventor, publication date, priority, legal status, abstract, and main claim, etc.
"China Patent English Abstract Databases" optical disk, "ABSDAT(C)",collects published inventions and granted utility models since 1985, containing bibliographic data and abstracts in English.
"China Patent gazette" optical disk provides the weekly gazettes information see http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zwgs/zlgb/
http://www.sipo.gov.cn/xxcp/zlwxgp/200804/t20080407_370310.html
Chinese Patent Bibliographic Data and Abstracts Databases" optical disk, CNPATE/ACCESS, collects published inventions and granted utility models since 1985, containing bibliographic data and abstracts (only for inventions) in English.
Search services
SIPO offers the following search systems on its official website:
Patent search, provides the bibliographic data, abstracts and specifications of Chinese patent information including inventions, utility models since 1985.
http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zljs/ (Chinese) and
http://59.151.99.140/sipo_EN/search/tabSearch.do?method=init (English)

VII. Matters concerning mutual exchange of patent documentation and information

International or regional cooperation in the exchange of machine-readable information, e.g., bibliographic data, abstract and/or full text information

In 2010, SIPO has collected patent specifications in the medium of CD or DVD from 15 patent authorities, and patent gazettes or abstracts in the medium of CD or DVD from 20 authorities.
In the mean time, SIPO has sent patent specifications to 21 authorities, delivered official gazettes to 17 authorities, and posted Chinese patent English abstracts to 35 authorities in the medium of DVD.

Medium used for exchange of priority documents

Since May 2006, SIPO has begun to transmit the priority documents to WIPO through EDI, and has received the priority documents from WIPO in optical disks.

Medium allowed for filing applications

The applications can be filed in both paper and electronic form.

VIII. Other relevant matters concerning education and training in, and promotion of, the use of patent information, including technical assistance to developing countries (please indicate URLs of web pages of the Office’s website wherever appropriate)

Training courses for national and foreign participants, use of audiovisual means

In 2010, the training of SIPO kept growing rapidly. 101 training seminars were held to new examiners, patent agents, administrative departments, enterprises, leading cadres, academia, judicial offices, local government officials and foreigners, with 38,124 trainees in total.
In 2010, SIPO developed its China long distance education platform and added more long-distance learning courses, including 9 video pre-exam courses for patent agents and 4 multimedia courses. By the end of 2010, 4 new sub sites of long-distance learning had been set up, including Ji Lin University sub site, China Agriculture sub site, Chongqing University of Post and Telecommunications sub site and Su Zhou Industrial Park sub site. In 2010, 2,855 students studied DL101 courses, an increase of 300% over last year.
In 2010, 21 foreign training seminars were held by SIPO. SIPO kept on strengthening the cooperation with WIPO Worldwide Academy, Japan National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training，Korea International Intellectual Property Training Institute，American John Marshall Law Scholl and Cardozo Law School.

Assistance to developing countries (sending consultants and experts, receiving trainees from developing countries, etc.)

In 2010, SIPO continued to increase its technical assistance to developing countries, organized and implemented 10 international training programs for patent examiners from the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, having accumulatively trained 124 foreign examiners.
From April 17 to 25, the ASEAN-China Intellectual Property Cooperation Conference was held in Beijing.
From November 10 to 16, the Seminar of Heads of Intellectual Property Offi ces of Members of African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) was held in Beijing.

Promotional activities (seminars, exhibitions, visits, advertising, etc.)

On November 13, WIPO, for the first time, sent an ad hoc representative of the Director General to attend the 12th Conference of China Patent Award in Beijing for jointly granting China Patent Golden Award and Industrial Design Golden Award which was granted for the first time. Lu Yongxiang, Vice Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the Conference and issued the awards.
In 2010, SIPO and WIPO jointly held a series of conferences in China, including the WIPO Regional Seminar on the Implementation of the WIPO Development Agenda in Chengdu in March, the PCT Advanced Roving Seminar in Beijing and Hefei in July, and the WIPO Seminar on the Role of Intellectual Property in the Knowledge-based Economy-Technology Transfer and Licensing in Beijing in November.
From January 25 to 29, Sino-EU Patent Administrative Enforcement Training Course was held in Xiamen.
On February 3, Commissioner Tian Lipu attended the forum of the New Chinese Patent Law and Its Impact on Enterprises held by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the EU Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, and delivered a keynote speech.
From April 12 to 22, the Informative Seminars on the European Patent System were held in Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen.
From April 17 to 25, the ASEAN-China Intellectual Property Cooperation Conference was held in Beijing.
From August 25 to 26, SIPO and the Ministry of Law of Singapore held the 4th Singapore-China IP Conference and Bilateral Heads Meeting in Shanghai.
On September 13, SIPO and USPTO held the China-U.S. Patent Law Roundtable Meeting.
On October 14, the China-U.S. Innovation Dialogue was held in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Deputy Commissioner Gan Shaoning attended the conference and gave a speech on China-U.S. innovation policies.
From October 25 to 29, SIPO delegation attended the 1st session of the Committee on WIPO Standards.
On November 10, Commissioner Tian Lipu attended the U.S. Ambassador’s IPR Dialogue, and gave a speech titled "Creation and Utilization of Intellectual Property–the Practice and Experience of China".
From November 10 to 16, the Seminar of Heads of Intellectual Property Offi ces of Members of African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) was held in Beijing.
On November 12, Bayer-Tongji-Training Center IPR Forum was held in Beijing. Deputy Commissioner Yang Tiejun attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech.

Studies to identify trends in new technology, e.g., by the use of patent statistics and preparation of monographs

In 2010, SIPO developed academic researches in many technological fields, including microstructure technology, automotive Intelligent Cruise Control, LCD, X-ray screening, Semiconductor integrated package, Magnetic Materials, Cardiovascular disease drugs medication,
high-quality species Soybean breeding，Broadband wireless mobile communication，modified asphalt，heat pump，the Ventilation technology of residential architecture and production environments.

Assistance furnished by offices to facilitate the changing over of receiving offices to electronic data carriers for the exchange of patent documents (see also fourth sub-item of item VI, above)

SIPO has set up a FTP server for updating frontfiles.

IX. Other general information related to the Office that is available on the Internet -- URLs of web pages of the Office’s website that:

provide information on legislation related to patents

Chinese：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/zcfg/
English： http:// english.sipo.gov.cn/laws/

contain the Annual Report of the Office

Chinese：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/gk/
English：http:// english.sipo.gov.cn/laws/

if necessary, provide further information related to the topics referred to in the current ATR

Chinese：http://www.sipo.gov.cn
English：http://english.sipo.gov.cn/

provide open source codes related to patent information systems

No activities.

contain patent-related news regarding the Office

Chinese：http://www.sipo.gov.cn/；
English： http://english.sipo.gov.cn/news/

X. Other relevant matters