The European Patent Office (EPO) and the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) are pleased to announce the next phase in their joint Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) pilot project. Starting 1 December 2024, Chinese applicants designating the EPO as their International Search Authority (ISA) will be able to pay their search fees through the CNIPA to the EPO in Renminbi (Chinese Yuan), offering greater convenience.

By choosing the EPO as their ISA, applicants gain accelerated access to European patent protection. Additionally, phase two maintains key advantages, such as a 75% reduction in the examination fee when requesting international preliminary examination under PCT Chapter II with the EPO. No supplementary European search or translation of the PCT application are required when entering the European phase, saving both time and costs.

The pilot's capacity is limited to 3,000 applications per year, ensuring that abroad range of applicants can continue to take advantage of these benefits.

Attachment: English version of the EPO-CNIPA Joint Communiqué

(Source: website of the CNIPA)