News from the Patent office of China

Fujian: Taiwan Test Takers in Patent Exam

For the first time open to Taiwan applicants, 234 of the island's residents have signed up to take the mainland patent exam on Nov 5 to 6.

Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province on the Taiwan Straits, is the only site open to Taiwan test takers.

After passing the exam and securing a patent agent qualification certificate, Taiwan participants will then need a one-year internship at a patent agency on the mainland before becoming eligible for a license to practice.

2011-08-24

Inner Mongolia: Center for Cross-Straits Exchanges

Inner Mongolia Agricultural University (IMAU) announced on Aug 9 that is has completed genome sequencing on four Mongolian Plateau species - the Mongolian sheep, cow, horse and the Alxa camel.

The work by IMAU and genome sequencing center BGI began in 2010.

"This is the first time that Chinese scientists completed proprietary whole genome sequencing on Mongolian Plateau species," said Zhou Huanmin, head of the project team and also director of Science and Technology at IMAU.

The research results are of value for genetic analysis on potential economic benefits and provide the foundation for further development and protection of Chinese livestock species, experts said.

2011-08-24

Jiangsu: IP Dispute Mediation Commission

An intellectual property dispute mediation commission was founded in July as part of the Changzhou Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Center.

With five mediators, a director and a deputy director, the commission is authorized by courts and IP administrations

to help settle disputes at lower costs and with greater efficiency than legal proceedings, said Jiang Honglu, president of the city's intermediate court.

2011-08-24

Shanghai: Probation, Fine for Fake Bags

A young couple received a year of probation and a 50,000 yuan fine from a Minhang district court for selling fake branded bags.

Gu Zhi and his wife Qin Mei, both in their 20s, from neighboring Anhui province began selling counterfeited leather bags at a rented shop in November 2009.

Police found 185 copycat bags and wallets with potential retail value of 868,000 yuan at their shop during a raid in January. The faked brands included LV, Chanel and Gucci.

2011-08-24

Beijing: New Support for Small Startups

Special policies to support small businesses are expected to be released in the second half of this year, according to sources close to policymakers.

Resolving the financing difficulties faced by small businesses is a priority in the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), said Liu Gongxiao, a director of the Mechanical Industry and Information Center, a think tank associated with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) - the nation's top economic planner - and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Private capital will be encouraged to invest in small businesses, especially high-tech startups in renewable energy, new materials and biomedicine, Liu said.

Various additional intermediary service agencies will also be established to help reach more small businesses, he added.

The State Council is organizing multiple departments to conduct research into the policies. The NDRC and MIIT began seminars and surveys about small businesses nationwide in August.

2011-08-24

Beijing: Patents on auction in November

Seven patents from the United States and Hong Kong will be among 307 items auctioned in Beijing in October.

"They are all patents in the consumer electronic field and have good prospects for application," said Li Zhonghua, assistant president of the China Technology Exchange, one of the auction's organizers.

It will be second session for the auction following its inauguration at the end of last year, when 41 percent of patents on auction were sold at an average price close to 110,000 yuan ($17,206).

2011-08-24