According to the No. 472 Announcement of China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), starting from March 1, 2022, the CNIPA will only issue the relevant patent certificates through the electronic patent application system, and the CNIPA will no longer accept the requests for paper patent certificates through electronic patent applications. The authenticity of electronic patent certificates can be verified through China Electronic Patent Application Website.
source: www.cnipa.gov.cn
Actually, the electronic patent certificates have the same legal power as paper patent certificates, and the implementation of electronic patent certificates can help modernize database management. As the new rule for patent certificate issuance will become effective soon, the era of paper form for patent applications and patent documents will thus end. Besides, the CNIPA will also implement electronic patent examination services, which is aimed at strengthening its examination capability and increase its efficiency.
A patent, as an important intellectual property, is an effective tool for enterprises to protect their legitimate rights and interests. In China, there are three types of patents: Invention Patent, Design Patent and Utility Model Patent. Each type of patent has its special functions and it is necessary for enterprises to apply for patent registration in advance according to their real situations. When facing infringement, enterprises are able to safeguard their rights legally by providing their patent certificates as the evidence.
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