China's PCT application amount ranks eighth

The amount of PCT applications by China has been growing steadily year by year. Commissioner of the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) Tian Lipu said on December 3 that in 2006 China's PCT patent applications ranked the eighth in the world and as of the end of this November the SIPO has accepted 4,572 PCT applications.

PCT application is the most convenient way for Chinese enterprises to apply for foreign patents. From 2003 to 2006, China saw rapid growth in PCT application, and the growth rate has been the world's No. 1 for four consecutive years.

China's State Intellectual Property Office is the accepting office, international search unit and international preliminary examination unit for PCT application. Deputy Commissioner of SIPO He Hua said, the SIPO has actively participated in international PCT affairs, set up a special examination team for PCT application and made positive efforts for PCT related work. PCT system has broad developing space in China and will provide protection for Chinese enterprises to go out into the global market. [Chinese version is available on Economic Reference]