SAMR Solicits Comments on Administrative Measures for Patent Agency

The State Administration for Market Regulation ("SAMR") has recently issued the Administrative Measures for Patent Agency (Draft for Comment) (the "Draft for Comment") for public consultation by March 15, 2019.

According to the Draft for Comment, revisions introduced this time are mainly intended for shifting the government's functions, adapting to needs of the reform of "streamlining administration, delegating power and strengthening regulation, and improving services", ensuring relevant provisions of the revised Patent Agency Regulations will be practically implemented, addressing problems existing in the patent agency industry and promoting the development of such industry. The Draft for Comment, now comprised of 60 articles in seven chapters, introduces major modifications in five respects, including: 1. improving the practicing entry system for patent agencies; 2. optimizing the practicing entry system for patent attorneys; 3. strengthening the self-disciplinary building within the patent agency industry; 4. tightening the scrutiny of patent agency business; and 5. imposing severer punishment for violations related to patent agency. The Draft for Comment sets out more detailed requirements in respect of the organizational forms of patent agencies and the practicing entry criteria.



(Source:http://www.chinalaw.gov.cn/government_public/content/2019-03/01/657_229187.html)

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