法律文本

中華人民共和國專利法（2008修正）

PRC Patent Law (2008 Revision)

（1984 年3月12日 第六屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第四次會議通過根據1992年9月4日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第二十七次會議《關於修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第一次修正根據2000年8月25日第九屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十七次會議《關於修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第二次修正根據2008年12月27日第十一屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第六次會議《關於修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第三次修正）

(Adopted at the 4th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's Congress on March 12, 1984; amended for the first time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revising the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China at its 27th Meeting on September 4, 1992; amended for the second time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revising the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China at its 17th Meeting on August 25, 2000; and amended for the third time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Revising the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China at its 6th Meeting on December 27, 2008)

第一章 總 則

Chapter 1 General Provisions

第一條   為了保護專利權人的合法權益，鼓勵發明創造，推動發明創造的應用，提高創新能力，促進科學技術進步和經濟社會發展，制定本法。

Article 1 This Law is enacted in order to protect the lawful rights and interests of patentees, encourage inventions -creations, promote the application of inventions -creations, enhance the innovative ability, and promote the progress of science and technology and the economic and social development.

第二條   本法所稱的發明創造是指發明、實用新型和外觀設計。

Article 2. In this Law, "inventions -creations" mean inventions, utility models and designs.

發明，是指對產品、方法或者其改進所提出的新的技術方案。

The term "invention" refers to any new technical solution pertaining to any or all of a product or process or the improvement thereof.

實用新型，是指對產品的形狀、構造或者其結合所提出的適於實用的新的技術方案。

A utility model shall mean a new technological scheme proposed for the shape or structure of a product or a practical combination thereof.

外觀設計，是指對產品的形狀、圖案或者其結合以及色彩與形狀、圖案的結合所作出的富有美感並適於工業應用的新設計。

Design refers to the shape of the product, or its combination, as well as color and shape, pattern of the combination of aesthetic and suitable for industrial design.

第三條   國務院專利行政部門負責管理全國的專利工作；統一受理和審查專利申請，依法授予專利權。

Article 3 The patent administrative authorities of the State Council shall be responsible for administration of patent matters nationwide, accept and examine patent applications on a unified basis and grant patent rights pursuant to the law.

省、自治區、直轄市人民政府管理專利工作的部門負責本行政區域內的專利管理工作。

The administrative authority for patent affairs under the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government are responsible for the administrative work concerning patents in their respective administrative areas.

第四條   申請專利的發明創造涉及國家安全或者重大利益需要保密的，按照國家有關規定辦理。

Article 4. Where the invention -creation for which a patent is applied for relates to the security or other vital interests of the State and is required to be kept secret, the application shall be treated in accordance with the relevant prescriptions of the State.

第五條   對違反法律、社會公德或者妨害公共利益的發明創造，不授予專利權。

Article 5 No patent right shall be granted for any invention -creation that violates any law or public morality or harm public interest.

對違反法律、行政法規的規定獲取或者利用遺傳資源，並依賴該遺傳資源完成的發明創造，不授予專利權。

For inventions which are completed by reliance on genetic resources obtained or used in violation of the provisions of laws and administrative regulations, patent rights shall not be granted.

第六條   執行本單位的任務或者主要是利用本單位的物質技術條件所完成的發明創造為職務發明創造。職務發明創造申請專利的權利屬於該單位；申請被批準後，該單位為專利權人。

Article 6 An invention -creation, made by a person in execution of the tasks of the entity to which he belongs, or made by him mainly by using the material means of the entity is a service invention -creation. For a service invention -creation, the right to apply for a patent belongs to the entity. After the application is approved, the entity shall be the patentee.

非職務發明創造，申請專利的權利屬於發明人或者設計人；申請被批準後，該發明人或者設計人為專利權人。

For a non-service invention-creation, the right to apply for a patent belongs to the inventor or creator. After the application is approved, the inventor or creator shall be the patentee.

利用本單位的物質技術條件所完成的發明創造，單位與發明人或者設計人訂有合同，對申請專利的權利和專利權的歸屬作出約定的，從其約定。

For an invention -creation that is accomplished by a person using materials or technical means of an entity to which he belongs, if the entity and the inventor or creator have entered into a contract in which the right to apply for and own a patent is provided for, such a provision shall apply.

第七條   對發明人或者設計人的非職務發明創造專利申請，任何單位或者個人不得壓制。

Article 7 No entity or individual shall prevent the inventor or creator from filing an application for a patent for a non-service invention-creation.

第八條   兩個以上單位或者個人合作完成的發明創造、一個單位或者個人接受其他單位或者個人委托所完成的發明創造，除另有協議的以外，申請專利的權利屬於完成或者共同完成的單位或者個人；申請被批準後，申請的單位或者個人為專利權人。

Article 8 For an invention -creation jointly made by two or more entities or individuals, or made by an entity or individual in execution of a commission given to it or him by another entity or individual, the right to apply for a patent belongs, unless otherwise agreed upon, to the entity or individual which made, or to the entities or individuals which jointly made, the invention -creation. After the application is approved, the entity or individual that applied for it shall be the patentee.

第九條   同樣的發明創造只能授予一項專利權。但是，同一申請人同日對同樣的發明創造既申請實用新型專利又申請發明專利，先獲得的實用新型專利權尚未終止，且申請人聲明放棄該實用新型專利權的，可以授予發明專利權。

Article 9 For any identical invention-creation, only one patent right shall be granted. However, where the same applicant also applies for patent for utility model for the same invention on the same day as the application for patent for the invention, and the utility model patent rights granted first have not been terminated yet and the applicant declares that he/she waives such utility model patent rights, the patent rights for the invention may be granted.

兩個以上的申請人分別就同樣的發明創造申請專利的，專利權授予最先申請的人。

Where two or more applicants file applications for patent for the identical invention-creation, the patent right shall be granted to the applicant whose application was filed first.

第十條   專利申請權和專利權可以轉讓。

Article 10 The right to apply for a patent and the patent right may be assigned.

中國單位或者個人向外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織轉讓專利申請權或者專利權的，應當依照有關法律、行政法規的規定辦理手續。

Any Chinese entity or individual that seeks to assign the right to apply for a patent or any patent right to a foreigner, foreign enterprise or any other foreign organization shall go through appropriate formalities in accordance with relevant laws or administrative regulations.

轉讓專利申請權或者專利權的，當事人應當訂立書面合同，並向國務院專利行政部門登記，由國務院專利行政部門予以公告。專利申請權或者專利權的轉讓自登記之日起生效。

Where the right to apply for a patent or the patent right is assigned, the parties shall conclude a written contract and register it with the patent administration department under the State Council. The patent administration department under the State Council shall announce the registration. The assignment shall take effect as of the date of registration.

第十一條   發明和實用新型專利權被授予後，除本法另有規定的以外，任何單位或者個人未經專利權人許可，都不得實施其專利，即不得為生產經營目的制造、使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口其專利產品，或者使用其專利方法以及使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口依照該專利方法直接獲得的產品。

Article 11 After the grant of the patent right for an invention or utility model, except as otherwise provided for in this Law, no entity or individual may, without the authorization of the patentee, exploit the patent, that is, make, use, offer to sell, sell or import the patented product, or use the patented process, or use, offer to sell, sell or import the product directly obtained by the patented process, for production or business purposes.

外觀設計專利權被授予後，任何單位或者個人未經專利權人許可，都不得實施其專利，即不得為生產經營目的制造、許諾銷售、銷售、進口其外觀設計專利產品。

After the grant of the patent right for a design, no entity or individual may, without the authorization of the patentee, exploit the patent, that is, make, offer to sell, sell or import the product incorporating its or his patented design, for production or business purposes.

第十二條   任何單位或者個人實施他人專利的，應當與專利權人訂立實施許可合同，向專利權人支付專利使用費。被許可人無權允許合同規定以外的任何單位或者個人實施該專利。

Article 12 Any entity or individual that seeks to exploit a patent owned by another party shall enter into a license contract for exploitation of the patent with the relevant patentee and pay royalties pertaining to that patent to the patentee. The licensee does not have the right to allow any entity or individual not provided for in this Contract to exploit the patent.

第十三條   發明專利申請公布後，申請人可以要求實施其發明的單位或者個人支付適當的費用。

Article 13 After the publication of the application for a patent for invention, the applicant may require the entity or individual exploiting the invention to pay an appropriate fee.

第十四條   國有企業事業單位的發明專利，對國家利益或者公共利益具有重大意義的，國務院有關主管部門和省、自治區、直轄市人民政府報經國務院批準，可以決定在批準的範圍內推廣應用，允許指定的單位實施，由實施單位按照國家規定向專利權人支付使用費。

Article 14 Where any patent for invention, which belongs to any State-owned enterprise or institution, is of great significance to the interests of the State or the public, the competent departments concerned under the State Council and the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government may, after approval by the State Council, decide that the patented invention be widely applied within the approved limits, and allow designated entities to exploit that invention. The exploiting entity shall, according to the regulations of the State, pay a fee for exploitation to the patentee.

第十五條   專利申請權或者專利權的共有人對權利的行使有約定的，從其約定。沒有約定的，共有人可以單獨實施或者以普通許可方式許可他人實施該專利；許可他人實施該專利的，收取的使用費應當在共有人之間分配。

Article 15 Where the co-applicants for patent or co-patentees of patent rights have an agreement in exercising rights, such agreement shall prevail. Where there is no agreement, the co-patentees may implement the patent solely or license others to implement the patent through a general licensing scheme; where others are licensed to implement the patent, the royalties collected shall be distributed among the co-patentees.

除前款規定的情形外，行使共有的專利申請權或者專利權應當取得全體共有人的同意。

Except for the circumstances stipulated in the preceding paragraph, the exercise of co-owned rights to apply for patent or co-owned patent rights shall be consented by all the co-patentees.

第十六條   被授予專利權的單位應當對職務發明創造的發明人或者設計人給予獎勵；發明創造專利實施後，根據其推廣應用的範圍和取得的經濟效益，對發明人或者設計人給予合理的報酬。

Article 16 The entity that is granted a patent right shall reward to the inventor or creator of a service invention -creation and, upon exploitation of the patented invention -creation, shall give the inventor or creator a reasonable remuneration based on the extent the invention-creation is applied and the economic benefits it yields.

第十七條   發明人或者設計人有權在專利文件中寫明自己是發明人或者設計人。

Article 17 An inventor or designer has the right to be named as such in the patent documents.

專利權人有權在其專利產品或者該產品的包裝上標明專利標識。

The patentee has the right to affix a patent mark on the patented product or on the packing of that product.

第十八條   在中國沒有經常居所或者營業所的外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織在中國申請專利的，依照其所屬國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照互惠原則，根據本法辦理。

Article 18 Where any foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization having no habitual residence or business office in China files an application for a patent in China, the application shall be treated under this Law in accordance with any agreement concluded between the country to which the applicant belongs and China, or in accordance with any international treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity.

第十九條   在中國沒有經常居所或者營業所的外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織在中國申請專利和辦理其他專利事務的，應當委托依法設立的專利代理機構辦理。

Article 19 Where any foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization having no habitual residence or business office in China applies for a patent, or has other patent matters to attend to, in China, he or it shall appoint a patent agency established lawfully to act as his or its agent.

中國單位或者個人在國內申請專利和辦理其他專利事務的，可以委托依法設立的專利代理機構辦理。

Chinese organisations or individuals may entrust a patent agency established pursuant to the law to apply for patent and handle other patent matters in China.

專利代理機構應當遵守法律、行政法規，按照被代理人的委托辦理專利申請或者其他專利事務；對被代理人發明創造的內容，除專利申請已經公布或者公告的以外，負有保密責任。專利代理機構的具體管理辦法由國務院規定。

Patent agencies shall comply with the laws and administrative regulations and handle patent applications or other patent matters according to the entrustment of their clients. In respect of the contents of a client's invention -creation, except for those that have been published or announced, the agency shall bear the responsibility of keeping them confidential. The administrative regulations governing patent agencies shall be formulated by the State Council.

第二十條   任何單位或者個人將在中國完成的發明或者實用新型向外國申請專利的，應當事先報經國務院專利行政部門進行保密審查。保密審查的程序、期限等按照國務院的規定執行。

Article 20 Any organisation or individual applying for patent in a foreign country for an invention or a utility model completed in China shall first notify the patent administrative authorities of the State Council for confidential examination. The procedures, duration, etc for confidential examination shall comply with the provisions of the State Council.

中國單位或者個人可以根據中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約提出專利國際申請。申請人提出專利國際申請的，應當遵守前款規定。

Any Chinese entity or individual may file an international application for patent in accordance with any international treaty concerned to which China is party. An applicant for international patent application shall comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

國務院專利行政部門依照中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約、本法和國務院有關規定處理專利國際申請。

The administrative department for patent under the State Council shall handle the international application for patent in accordance with the international treaty concerned to which China is party, this Law and the related provisions of the State Council.

對違反本條第一款規定向外國申請專利的發明或者實用新型，在中國申請專利的，不授予專利權。

Where an application for patent for an invention or a utility model submitted in a foreign country violates the provisions of the first paragraph of this Article and an application for patent is submitted in China, patent rights shall not be granted.

第二十一條   國務院專利行政部門及其專利複審委員會應當按照客觀、公正、準確、及時的要求，依法處理有關專利的申請和請求。

Article 21 The patent administrative authorities of the State Council and their patent review committee shall handle the relevant patent applications and requests pursuant to the law and in accordance with the requirements for objectivity, equitableness, accuracy and timeliness.

國務院專利行政部門應當完整、準確、及時發布專利信息，定期出版專利公報。

The patent administrative authorities of the State Council shall announce patent information in a complete, accurate and timely manner and publish patent gazettes on a regular basis.

在專利申請公布或者公告前，國務院專利行政部門的工作人員及有關人員對其內容負有保密責任。

Until the publication or announcement of the application for a patent, staff members of the patent administration department under the State Council and other persons involved have the duty to keep its content secret.

第二章授予專利權的條件

Chapter 2 Requirements for Grant of Patent

第二十二條   授予專利權的發明和實用新型，應當具備新穎性、創造性和實用性。

Article 22 Any invention or utility model for which patent right may be granted must possess novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability.

新穎性，是指該發明或者實用新型不屬於現有技術；也沒有任何單位或者個人就同樣的發明或者實用新型在申請日以前向國務院專利行政部門提出過申請，並記載在申請日以後公布的專利申請文件或者公告的專利文件中。

Novelty shall mean that an invention or a utility model does not fall under the existing technologies; and no organisation or individual has submitted an application to the patent administrative authorities of the State Council for an identical invention or utility model prior to the date of the patent application, and record shall be made in the announced patent application documents or the announced patent documents after the date of the patent application.

創造性，是指與現有技術相比，該發明具有突出的實質性特點和顯著的進步，該實用新型具有實質性特點和進步。

Creativity means that compared with the prior art, the invention has prominent substantive features and notable progress, and the utility model has substantive features and progress.

實用性，是指該發明或者實用新型能夠制造或者使用，並且能夠產生積極效果。

Practical applicability means that the invention or utility model can be made or used and can produce effective results.

本法所稱現有技術，是指申請日以前在國內外為公眾所知的技術。

For the purposes of this Law, the term "existing technology" means any technology known to the public at home and abroad before the date of filing.

第二十三條   授予專利權的外觀設計，應當不屬於現有設計；也沒有任何單位或者個人就同樣的外觀設計在申請日以前向國務院專利行政部門提出過申請，並記載在申請日以後公告的專利文件中。

Article 23 Designs in which patent rights are granted shall not fall under the existing Designs; and no organisation or individual has submitted an application to the patent administrative authorities of the State Council for an identical design prior to the date of the patent application, and record shall be made in the promulgated patent documents after the date of the patent application.

授予專利權的外觀設計與現有設計或者現有設計特征的組合相比，應當具有明顯區別。

Any design for which a patent right is granted shall be distinctively different from existing designs or a combination of any existing design features.

授予專利權的外觀設計不得與他人在申請日以前已經取得的合法權利相沖突。

A design in which patent rights are granted shall not have conflict with the legitimate rights obtained by others prior to the date of the patent application.

本法所稱現有設計，是指申請日以前在國內外為公眾所知的設計。

For the purposes of this Law, the term "existing design" means any design made known to the public at home and abroad before the date of filing.

第二十四條   申請專利的發明創造在申請日以前六個月內，有下列情形之一的，不喪失新穎性：

Article 24 An invention -creation for which a patent is applied for does not lose its novelty where, within six months before the date of filing, one of the following events occurred:

（一）在中國政府主辦或者承認的國際展覽會上首次展出的；

1. Where it was first exhibited at an international exhibition sponsored or recognized by the Chinese Government;

（二）在規定的學術會議或者技術會議上首次發表的；

(II) where it was first made public at a prescribed academic or technological meeting;

（三）他人未經申請人同意而泄露其內容的。

(III) Where it was disclosed by any person without the consent of the applicant.

第二十五條   對下列各項，不授予專利權：

Article 25 For any of the following, no patent right shall be granted:

（一）科學發現；

1. scientific discoveries;

（二）智力活動的規則和方法；

(II) rules and methods for mental activities;

（三）疾病的診斷和治療方法；

3. methods for the diagnosis or for the treatment of diseases;

（四）動物和植物品種；

(IV) animal and plant varieties;

（五）用原子核變換方法獲得的物質；

(V) substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation;

（六）對平面印刷品的圖案、色彩或者二者的結合作出的主要起標識作用的設計。

(VI) a design which has major marking function on the patterns, colours or a combination of both patterns and colours of graphic print products.

對前款第（四）項所列產品的生產方法，可以依照本法規定授予專利權。

For processes used in producing products referred to in items (4) of the preceding paragraph, patent right may be granted in accordance with the provisions of this Law.

第三章專利的申請

Chapter 3 application for patent

第二十六條   申請發明或者實用新型專利的，應當提交請求書、說明書及其摘要和權利要求書等文件。

Article 26. Where an application for a patent for invention or utility model is filed, a request, a description and its abstract, and claims shall be submitted.

請求書應當寫明發明或者實用新型的名稱，發明人的姓名，申請人姓名或者名稱、地址，以及其他事項。

The request shall state the title of the invention or utility model, the name of the inventor, the name and the address of the applicant and other related matters.

說明書應當對發明或者實用新型作出清楚、完整的說明，以所屬技術領域的技術人員能夠實現為準；必要的時候，應當有附圖。摘要應當簡要說明發明或者實用新型的技術要點。

The description shall set forth the invention or utility model in a manner sufficiently clear and complete so as to enable a person skilled in the relevant field of technology to carry it out; where necessary, drawings are required. The abstract shall describe briefly the main technical points of the invention or utility model.

權利要求書應當以說明書為依據，清楚、簡要地限定要求專利保護的範圍。

The claims shall be supported by the description and shall state the extent of the patent protection asked for.

依賴遺傳資源完成的發明創造，申請人應當在專利申請文件中說明該遺傳資源的直接來源和原始來源；申請人無法說明原始來源的，應當陳述理由。

For an invention which relies on genetic resources for completion, the applicant shall state the direct source and the original source of such genetic resources in the patent application documents; where the applicant is unable to state the original source, the reason shall be stated.

第二十七條   申請外觀設計專利的，應當提交請求書、該外觀設計的圖片或者照片以及對該外觀設計的簡要說明等文件。

Article 27 Documents such as a letter of request, pictures or photographs of the design and a brief explanation of the design, etc shall be submitted for a design patent application.

申請人提交的有關圖片或者照片應當清楚地顯示要求專利保護的產品的外觀設計。

The relevant pictures or photographs submitted by the applicant shall clearly show the design of the products in which patent protection is requested.

第二十八條   國務院專利行政部門收到專利申請文件之日為申請日。如果申請文件是郵寄的，以寄出的郵戳日為申請日。

Article 28 The date on which the patent administration department under the State Council receives the application shall be the date of filing. If sent by mail, the date of mailing indicated by the postmark shall be the date of filing.

第二十九條   申請人自發明或者實用新型在外國第一次提出專利申請之日起十二個月內，或者自外觀設計在外國第一次提出專利申請之日起六個月內，又在中國就相同主題提出專利申請的，依照該外國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照相互承認優先權的原則，可以享有優先權。

Article 29 Where, within twelve months from the date on which any applicant first filed in a foreign country an application for a patent for invention or utility model, or within six months from the date on which any applicant first filed in a foreign country an application for a patent for design, he or it files in China an application for a patent for the same subject matter, he or it may, in accordance with any agreement concluded between the said foreign country and China, or in accordance with any international treaty to which both countries are party, or on the basis of the principle of mutual recognition of the right of priority, enjoy a right of priority.

申請人自發明或者實用新型在中國第一次提出專利申請之日起十二個月內，又向國務院專利行政部門就相同主題提出專利申請的，可以享有優先權。

Where, within twelve months from the date on which any applicant first filed in China an application for a patent for invention or utility model, he or it files with the patent administration department under the State Council an application for a patent for the same subject matter, he or it may enjoy a right of priority.

第三十條   申請人要求優先權的，應當在申請的時候提出書面聲明，並且在三個月內提交第一次提出的專利申請文件的副本；未提出書面聲明或者逾期未提交專利申請文件副本的，視為未要求優先權。

Article 30 Any applicant who claims the right of priority shall make a written declaration when the application is filed, and submit, within three months, a copy of the patent application document which was first filed; if the applicant fails to make the written declaration or to meet the time limit for submitting the patent application document, the claim to the right of priority shall be deemed not to have been made.

第三十一條   一件發明或者實用新型專利申請應當限於一項發明或者實用新型。屬於一個總的發明構思的兩項以上的發明或者實用新型，可以作為一件申請提出。

Article 31. An application for a patent for invention or utility model shall be limited to one invention or utility model. Two or more inventions or utility models belonging to a single general inventive concept may be filed as one application.

一件外觀設計專利申請應當限於一項外觀設計。同一產品兩項以上的相似外觀設計，或者用於同一類別並且成套出售或者使用的產品的兩項以上外觀設計，可以作為一件申請提出。

Each design patent application shall be limited to one design. One application may be submitted for two or more similar designs for the same product or two or more designs used on the same type of products which are sold or used as a package.

第三十二條   申請人可以在被授予專利權之前隨時撤回其專利申請。

Article 32 An applicant may withdraw his or its application for a patent at any time before the patent right is granted.

第三十三條   申請人可以對其專利申請文件進行修改，但是，對發明和實用新型專利申請文件的修改不得超出原說明書和權利要求書記載的範圍，對外觀設計專利申請文件的修改不得超出原圖片或者照片表示的範圍。

Article 33 An applicant may amend his or its application for a patent, but the amendment to the application for a patent for invention or utility model may not go beyond the scope of the disclosure contained in the initial description and claims, and the amendment to the application for a patent for design may not go beyond the scope of the disclosure as shown in the initial drawings or photographs.

第四章專利申請的審查和批準

Chapter 4 examination and approval of patent application

第三十四條   國務院專利行政部門收到發明專利申請後，經初步審查認為符合本法要求的，自申請日起滿十八個月，即行公布。國務院專利行政部門可以根據申請人的請求早日公布其申請。

Article 34 Where, after receiving an application for a patent for invention, the patent administration department under the State Council, upon preliminary examination, finds the application to be in conformity with the requirements of this Law, it shall publish the application promptly after the expiration of eighteen months from the date of filing. Upon the request of the applicant, the patent administrative department under the State Council may publish the application earlier.

第三十五條   發明專利申請自申請日起三年內，國務院專利行政部門可以根據申請人隨時提出的請求，對其申請進行實質審查；申請人無正當理由逾期不請求實質審查的，該申請即被視為撤回。

Article 35 Upon the request of the applicant for a patent for invention, made at any time within three years from the date of filing, the patent administration department under the State Council may proceed to examine the application as to its substance. If, without any justified reason, the applicant fails to meet the time limit for requesting examination as to substance, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

國務院專利行政部門認為必要的時候，可以自行對發明專利申請進行實質審查。

The patent administrative authorities of the State Council may, when it deems necessary, conduct substantial examination of a patent application for an invention voluntarily.

第三十六條   發明專利的申請人請求實質審查的時候，應當提交在申請日前與其發明有關的參考資料。

Article 36 When the applicant for a patent for invention requests examination as to substance, he or it shall furnish pre-filing date reference materials concerning the invention.

發明專利已經在外國提出過申請的，國務院專利行政部門可以要求申請人在指定期限內提交該國為審查其申請進行檢索的資料或者審查結果的資料；無正當理由逾期不提交的，該申請即被視為撤回。

For an application for a patent for invention that has been already filed in a foreign country, the patent administration department under the State Council may ask the applicant to furnish within a specified time limit documents concerning any search made for the purpose of examining that application, or concerning the results of any examination made, in that country. If, without any justified reason, the said documents are not furnished at the expiration of the specified time limit, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

第三十七條   國務院專利行政部門對發明專利申請進行實質審查後，認為不符合本法規定的，應當通知申請人，要求其在指定的期限內陳述意見，或者對其申請進行修改；無正當理由逾期不答複的，該申請即被視為撤回。

Article 37 Where the patent administration department under the State Council, after it has made the examination as to substance of the application for a patent for invention, finds that the application is not in conformity with the provisions of this Law, it shall notify the applicant and request him or it to submit, within a specified time limit, his or its observations or to amend the application. If, without any justified reason, the time limit for making response is not met, the application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.

第三十八條   發明專利申請經申請人陳述意見或者進行修改後，國務院專利行政部門仍然認為不符合本法規定的，應當予以駁回。

Article 38 Where, after the applicant has made the observations or amendments, the patent administration department under the State Council still finds that the application for a patent for invention is not in conformity with the provisions of this Law, the application shall be rejected.

第三十九條   發明專利申請經實質審查沒有發現駁回理由的，由國務院專利行政部門作出授予發明專利權的決定，發給發明專利證書，同時予以登記和公告。發明專利權自公告之日起生效。

Article 39 Where it is found after examination as to substance that there is no cause for rejection of the application for a patent for invention, the patent administration department under the State Council shall make a decision to grant the patent right for invention, issue the certificate of patent for invention, and register and announce it. The patent right for invention shall take effect as of the date of the Announcement.

第四十條   實用新型和外觀設計專利申請經初步審查沒有發現駁回理由的，由國務院專利行政部門作出授予實用新型專利權或者外觀設計專利權的決定，發給相應的專利證書，同時予以登記和公告。實用新型專利權和外觀設計專利權自公告之日起生效。

Article 40 Where it is found after preliminary examination that there is no cause for rejection of the application for a patent for utility model or design, the patent administration department under the State Council shall make a decision to grant the patent right for utility model or the patent right for design, issue the relevant patent certificate, and register and announce it. The patent right for utility model or design shall take effect from the date of the announcement.

第四十一條   國務院專利行政部門設立專利複審委員會。專利申請人對國務院專利行政部門駁回申請的決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內，向專利複審委員會請求複審。專利複審委員會複審後，作出決定，並通知專利申請人。

Article 41 The patent administrative authorities of the State Council shall establish a patent review committee. Where an applicant for patent disagrees with the decision of the patent administrative authorities of the State Council to reject his/her application, he/she may submit a request for review to the patent review committee within three months from the date of receipt of notification. The Patent Reexamination Board shall, after reexamination, make a decision and notify the applicant for patent.

專利申請人對專利複審委員會的複審決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。

Where the applicant for patent disagrees with the review decision of the patent review committee, he/she may file a lawsuit with a People's Court within three months from the date of receipt of notification.

第五章專利權的期限、終止和無效

Chapter 5 Duration, Cessation and Invalidation of Patent Rights

第四十二條   發明專利權的期限為二十年，實用新型專利權和外觀設計專利權的期限為十年，均自申請日起計算。

Article 42 The duration of patent right for inventions shall be twenty years, and the duration of patent right for utility models and patent right for designs shall be ten years, counted from the date of filing.

第四十三條   專利權人應當自被授予專利權的當年開始繳納年費。

Article 43. The patentee shall pay an annual fee beginning with the year in which the patent right was granted.

第四十四條   有下列情形之一的，專利權在期限屆滿前終止：

Article 44 In any of the following cases, the patent right shall cease before the expiration of its duration:

（一）沒有按照規定繳納年費的；

1. where an annual fee is not paid as prescribed;

（二）專利權人以書面聲明放棄其專利權的。

(II) Where the patentee abandons his or its patent right by a written declaration.

專利權在期限屆滿前終止的，由國務院專利行政部門登記和公告。

Any cessation of the patent right shall be registered and announced by the patent administration department under the State Council.

第四十五條   自國務院專利行政部門公告授予專利權之日起，任何單位或者個人認為該專利權的授予不符合本法有關規定的，可以請求專利複審委員會宣告該專利權無效。

Article 45 Where, starting from the date of the announcement of the grant of a patent right by the patent administration department under the State Council, any entity or individual considers that the grant of the said patent right is not in conformity with the relevant provisions of this Law, it or he may request the Patent Reexamination Board to declare the patent right invalid.

第四十六條   專利複審委員會對宣告專利權無效的請求應當及時審查和作出決定，並通知請求人和專利權人。宣告專利權無效的決定，由國務院專利行政部門登記和公告。

Article 46 The Patent Reexamination Board shall promptly examine any request to invalidate a patent right, then make a decision on said request and notify the persons who made the request and who are the patentee. The decision declaring the patent right invalid shall be registered and announced by the patent administrative department of the State Council.

對專利複審委員會宣告專利權無效或者維持專利權的決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。人民法院應當通知無效宣告請求程序的對方當事人作為第三人參加訴訟。

Where any party is not satisfied with the decision of the Patent Reexamination Board declaring the patent right invalid or upholding the patent right, such party may, within three months from receipt of the notification of the decision, institute legal proceedings in the people's court. The people's court shall notify the opposite party in the invalidation procedure to appear as a third party in the aforementioned legal proceedings.

第四十七條   宣告無效的專利權視為自始即不存在。

Article 47 Any patent right which has been declared invalid shall be deemed to be non-existent from the beginning.

宣告專利權無效的決定，對在宣告專利權無效前人民法院作出並已執行的專利侵權的判決、調解書，已經履行或者強制執行的專利侵權糾紛處理決定，以及已經履行的專利實施許可合同和專利權轉讓合同，不具有追溯力。但是因專利權人的惡意給他人造成的損失，應當給予賠償。

A decision which declares a patent right invalid shall have no retroactive effect on any judgment or mediation agreement with respect to patent infringements which has been delivered and enforced by a people's court, on any decision concerning the settlement of a dispute over patent infringement which has been implemented or compulsorily enforced, or on any patent license contract or contract for the assignment of patent rights which has been performed prior to that declaration. However, the damage caused to other persons in bad faith on the part of the patentee shall be compensated.

依照前款規定不返還專利侵權賠償金、專利使用費、專利權轉讓費，明顯違反公平原則的，應當全部或者部分返還。

Where a non-refund of patent infringement compensation, royalties and transfer fee for patent rights pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph is evidently in violation of the principle of fairness, all or part of the sum shall be refunded.

第六章專利實施的強制許可

Chapter 6 compulsory license for working of patent

第四十八條   有下列情形之一的，國務院專利行政部門根據具備實施條件的單位或者個人的申請，可以給予實施發明專利或者實用新型專利的強制許可：

Article 48 Under any of the following circumstances, the patent administrative department under the State Council may, upon the request of the entity or individual that is qualified to exploit an invention patent or utility model patent, grant a compulsory license to any such entity or individual:

（一）專利權人自專利權被授予之日起滿三年，且自提出專利申請之日起滿四年，無正當理由未實施或者未充分實施其專利的；

1. where, within three years as of the date on which the patent right was granted and within four years as of the date of filing the application for a patent, a patentee, without any justified reason, fails to have the patent exploited or fully exploited; or

（二）專利權人行使專利權的行為被依法認定為壟斷行為，為消除或者減少該行為對競爭產生的不利影響的。

(II) Where the patentee's exercise of its or his patent right is deemed as a monopolistic practice in accordance with the law, with the purpose of eliminating or reducing the adverse effects of such practice on competition.

第四十九條   在國家出現緊急狀態或者非常情況時，或者為了公共利益的目的，國務院專利行政部門可以給予實施發明專利或者實用新型專利的強制許可。

Article 49 Where a national emergency or any extraordinary state of affairs occurs, or where the public interest so requires, the patent administration department under the State Council may grant a compulsory license to exploit the patent for invention or utility model.

第五十條   為了公共健康目的，對取得專利權的藥品，國務院專利行政部門可以給予制造並將其出口到符合中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約規定的國家或者地區的強制許可。

Article 50 For the purpose of public health, the patent administrative authorities of the State Council may grant mandatory licensing for patented drugs manufactured and exported to countries or regions which comply with the provisions of the relevant international treaty participated by the People's Republic of China.

第五十一條   一項取得專利權的發明或者實用新型比前已經取得專利權的發明或者實用新型具有顯著經濟意義的重大技術進步，其實施又有賴於前一發明或者實用新型的實施的，國務院專利行政部門根據後一專利權人的申請，可以給予實施前一發明或者實用新型的強制許可。

Article 51 In the event that an invention or utility model for which a patent right has been granted represents a major technological advancement of remarkable economic significance, compared with an earlier invention or utility model for which a patent right has already been granted, if the exploitation of the later invention or utility model is directly dependent upon the exploitation of the earlier invention or utility model, then the patent administrative department under the State Council may, upon a request from the patentee of the earlier invention or utility model, grant a compulsory license to exploit the later invention or utility model.

在依照前款規定給予實施強制許可的情形下，國務院專利行政部門根據前一專利權人的申請，也可以給予實施後一發明或者實用新型的強制許可。

Where, according to the preceding paragraph, a compulsory license for exploitation is granted, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon the request of the patentee of the earlier invention or utility model, also grant a compulsory license to exploit the later invention or utility model.

第五十二條   強制許可涉及的發明創造為半導體技術的，其實施限於公共利益的目的和本法第四十八條第（二）項規定的情形。

Article 52 Where the invention involved in mandatory licensing falls under semiconductor technology, the implementation thereof shall be restricted to the purpose of public interest and the circumstances stipulated in item (2) of Article 48 of this Law.

第五十三條   除依照本法第四十八條第（二）項、第五十條規定給予的強制許可外，強制許可的實施應當主要為了供應國內市場。

Article 53 Except for mandatory licensing granted pursuant to the provisions of item (2) of Article 48 and Article 50 of this Law, the implementation of mandatory licensing shall mainly satisfy the purpose of supply to domestic market.

第五十四條   依照本法第四十八條第（一）項、第五十一條規定申請強制許可的單位或者個人應當提供證據，證明其以合理的條件請求專利權人許可其實施專利，但未能在合理的時間內獲得許可。

Article 54 An organisation or individual applying for mandatory licensing pursuant to the provisions of item (1) of Article 48 and Article 51 of this Law shall provide evidence to prove that it has presented reasonable conditions to request the patentee to license the implementation of patent to the organisation or individual but the patentee does not grant licensing to the organisation or individual within a reasonable period.

第五十五條   國務院專利行政部門作出的給予實施強制許可的決定，應當及時通知專利權人，並予以登記和公告。

Article 55 The decision made by the patent administrative department under the State Council to grant a compulsory license for exploitation shall be notified promptly to the relevant patentee, and shall be registered and announced accordingly.

給予實施強制許可的決定，應當根據強制許可的理由規定實施的範圍和時間。強制許可的理由消除並不再發生時，國務院專利行政部門應當根據專利權人的請求，經審查後作出終止實施強制許可的決定。

In the decision granting the compulsory license for exploitation, the scope and duration of the exploitation shall be specified on the basis of the reasons justifying the grant. If and when the circumstances which led to such compulsory license cease to exist and are unlikely to recur, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon the request of the patentee, terminate the compulsory license after examination.

第五十六條   取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人不享有獨占的實施權，並且無權允許他人實施。

Article 56 Any entity or individual that is granted a compulsory license for exploitation shall not have an exclusive right to exploit and shall not have the right to authorize exploitation by any others.

第五十七條   取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人應當付給專利權人合理的使用費，或者依照中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條 約的規定處理使用費問題。付給使用費的，其數額由雙方協商；雙方不能達成協議的，由國務院專利行政部門裁決。

Article 57 Any entity or individual that obtains a compulsory license shall pay reasonable royalties to the relevant patentee or address the issue of royalties in accordance with the provisions of the relevant international treaties to which the People's Republic of China has acceded. In the event that royalties are to be paid, the specific amount royalties to be paid shall be subject to the consultation between the two parties. In the event of failure to reach an agreement between the two parties, the patent administrative department of the State Council shall make a ruling.

第五十八條   專利權人對國務院專利行政部門關於實施強制許可的決定不服的，專利權人和取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人對國務院專利行政部門關於實施強制許可的使用費的裁決不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。

Article 58 Where the patentee is not satisfied with the decision of the patent administration department under the State Council granting a compulsory license for exploitation, or where the patentee or the entity or individual that is granted the compulsory license for exploitation is not satisfied with the ruling made by the patent administration department under the State Council regarding the fee payable for exploitation, he or it may, within three months from the date of receipt of the notification, institute legal proceedings in the people's court.

第七章專利權的保護

Chapter 7 Protection of Patent Rights

第五十九條   發明或者實用新型專利權的保護範圍以其權利要求的內容為準，說明書及附圖可以用於解釋權利要求的內容。

Article 59 The extent of protection of the patent right for invention or utility model shall be determined by the terms of the claims. The description and the appended drawings may be used to interpret the claims.

外觀設計專利權的保護範圍以表示在圖片或者照片中的該產品的外觀設計為準，簡要說明可以用於解釋圖片或者照片所表示的該產品的外觀設計。

The extent of protection of the patent right for design shall be determined by the design of the product as represented by the pictures or photographs, and the brief description may be used to explain the design of the product as represented by the pictures or photographs.

第六十條   未經專利權人許可，實施其專利，即侵犯其專利權，引起糾紛的，由當事人協商解決；不願協商或者協商不成的，專利權人或者利害關系人可以向人民法院起訴，也可以請求管理專利工作的部門處理。管理專利工作的部門處理時，認定侵權行為成立的，可以責令侵權人立即停止侵權行為，當事人不服的，可以自收到處理通知之日起十五日內依照《中華人民共和國行政訴訟法》向人民法院起訴；侵權人期滿不起訴又不停止侵權行為的，管理專利工作的部門可以申請人民法院強制執行。進行處理的管理專利工作的部門應當事人的請求，可以就侵犯專利權的賠償數額進行調解；調解不成的，當事人可以依照《中華人民共和國民事訴訟法》向人民法院起訴。

Article 60 In the event that a dispute arises due to a patent being exploited without the prior authorization of the patentee, that is to say an infringement of the patent right of the patentee, then it shall be settled through consultation involving both parties. In the event that one or both parties are unwilling to submit to consultation, or if the consultation fails, then the patentee or any interested party may initiate legal proceedings in the people's court, or request the patent administrative department to handle the matter. In the event the administrative authority for patent affairs establishes that an infringement has transpired, then it may order the infringing party to cease the infringement with immediate effect. If the infringing party is not satisfied with the ruling they may, within 15 days from the date of receiving notification of the ruling, initiate legal proceedings in the people's court in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Administrative Proceedings. If, within the specified time limit, legal proceedings are not initiated and the ruling is not complied with, the administrative authority for patent affairs may approach the people's court to enact a compulsory execution of the aforementioned ruling. The authorities for administration of patent matters which handle the matter may, pursuant to a request of the parties concerned, carry out mediation in respect of the compensation amount for infringement of patent rights; where mediation is unsuccessful, the parties concerned may file a lawsuit with a People's Court pursuant to the Civil Procedural Law of the People's Republic of China.

第六十一條   專利侵權糾紛涉及新產品制造方法的發明專利的，制造同樣產品的單位或者個人應當提供其產品制造方法不同於專利方法的證明。

Article 61 Where any infringement dispute relates to a patent for invention for a process for the manufacture of a new product, any entity or individual manufacturing the identical product shall furnish proof to show that the process used in the manufacture of its or his product is different from the patented process.

專利侵權糾紛涉及實用新型專利或者外觀設計專利的，人民法院或者管理專利工作的部門可以要求專利權人或者利害關系人出具由國務院專利行政部門對相關實用新型或者外觀設計進行檢索、分析和評價後作出的專利權評價報告，作為審理、處理專利侵權糾紛的證據。

Where a patent infringement dispute involves a patent for utility model or design, a People's Court or the authorities for administration of patent matters may require the patentee or stakeholder (s) to provide a patent rights evaluation report made by the patent administrative authorities of the State Council after carrying out searches, analysis and evaluation of the relevant utility model or design as proof for trial or handling of the patent infringement dispute.

第六十二條   在專利侵權糾紛中，被控侵權人有證據證明其實施的技術或者設計屬於現有技術或者現有設計的，不構成侵犯專利權。

Article 62 In a patent infringement dispute where the alleged infringer presents evidence to prove that the technology or design implemented by him is an existing technology or design, it shall be deemed not to have infringed the patent.

第六十三條   假冒專利的，除依法承擔民事責任外，由管理專利工作的部門責令改正並予公告，沒收違法所得，可以並處違法所得四倍以下的罰款；沒有違法所得的，可以處二十萬元以下的罰款；構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任。

Article 63 In case of counterfeiting patent, the offender shall, in addition to bearing civil liability pursuant to the law, be ordered by the authorities for administration of patent matters to make correction; a public announcement shall be made; illegal income shall be confiscated and a fine of not more than four times the amount of the illegal income may also be imposed; where there is no illegal income, a fine of not more than RMB200,000 may be imposed; where the case constitutes a criminal offence, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

第六十四條   管理專利工作的部門根據已經取得的證據，對涉嫌假冒專利行為進行查處時，可以詢問有關當事人，調查與涉嫌違法行為有關的情況；對當事人涉嫌違法行為的場所實施現場檢查；查閱、複制與涉嫌違法行為有關的合同、發票、賬簿以及其他有關資料；檢查與涉嫌違法行為有關的產品，對有證據證明是假冒專利的產品，可以查封或者扣押。

Article 64 In investigating and dealing with acts that are suspected of involving passing off another party's patent, an administrative authority for patent affairs may, on the basis of any obtained evidence, question the relevant parties and investigate the circumstances related to such acts, conduct on-site inspections of places where such acts occurred, consult and reproduce contracts, invoices, account books and other materials pertaining to such acts, examine products related to such acts and seal up or seize any products that the relevant evidence indicates may contain the patent being passed off.

管理專利工作的部門依法行使前款規定的職權時，當事人應當予以協助、配合，不得拒絕、阻撓。

When the authorities for administration of patent matters exercise the official powers stipulated in the preceding paragraph pursuant to the law, the parties concerned shall render assistance and cooperation and shall not refuse or hinder.

第六十五條   侵犯專利權的賠償數額按照權利人因被侵權所受到的實際損失確定；實際損失難以確定的，可以按照侵權人因侵權所獲得的利益確定。權利人的損失或者侵權人獲得的利益難以確定的，參照該專利許可使用費的倍數合理確定。賠償數額還應當包括權利人為制止侵權行為所支付的合理開支。

Article 65 The compensation amount for infringement of patent rights shall be determined in accordance with the actual losses suffered by the rights holder due to the infringement; where it is difficult to determine the actual losses, the compensation amount shall be determined in accordance with the gains derived by the infringor from the infringement. Where it is difficult to determine the losses of the rights holder or the gains derived by the infringor, the compensation amount shall be determined reasonably according to a multiple of the licensing fee of the said patent. The compensation amount shall also include reasonable expenses incurred by the rights holder to stop the infringement act.

權利人的損失、侵權人獲得的利益和專利許可使用費均難以確定的，人民法院可以根據專利權的類型、侵權行為的性質和情節等因素，確定給予一萬元以上一百萬元以下的賠償。

Where it is difficult to determine the losses of the rights holder, the gains derived by the infringor and the royalties of the patent, a People's Court may determine a compensation amount ranging from RMB10,000 to RMB1 million according to the type of patent rights, the nature of infringement and the circumstances, etc.

第六十六條   專利權人或者利害關系人有證據證明他人正在實施或者即將實施侵犯專利權的行為，如不及時制止將會使其合法權益受到難以彌補的損害的，可以在起訴前向人民法院申請采取責令停止有關行為的措施。

Article 66 Where the patentee or stakeholder can show proof to prove that others are implementing or will be implementing an infringement of patent rights, and his/her legitimate rights and interests will suffer from irreparable damages if such infringement or impending infringement is not stopped promptly, the patentee or stakeholder may, prior to filing a lawsuit, apply to a People's Court to adopt measures to order that the relevant acts be stopped.

申請人提出申請時，應當提供擔保；不提供擔保的，駁回申請。

An applicant shall provide guarantee when making an application; where a guarantee is not provided, the application shall be rejected.

人民法院應當自接受申請之時起四十八小時內作出裁定；有特殊情況需要延長的，可以延長四十八小時。裁定責令停止有關行為的，應當立即執行。當事人對裁定不服的，可以申請複議一次；複議期間不停止裁定的執行。

The People's Court shall make a ruling within 48 hours from the time of acceptance of the application; where there is a need for extension of time under special circumstances, an extension of 48 hours may be granted. Where a ruling is made that the relevant act is ordered to be stopped, it shall be executed immediately. A party concerned who disagrees with the ruling may apply for one review only; enforcement of the ruling shall continue during the review period.

申請人自人民法院采取責令停止有關行為的措施之日起十五日內不起訴的，人民法院應當解除該措施。

Where the applicant failed to file a lawsuit within 15 days from the date on which the People's Court adopts measures to order that the relevant acts be stopped, the People's Court shall lift the measures.

申請有錯誤的，申請人應當賠償被申請人因停止有關行為所遭受的損失。

If there is any error in the request, the applicant shall compensate the respondent for any losses incurred as a result of the stop of the relevant act.

第六十七條   為了制止專利侵權行為，在證據可能滅失或者以後難以取得的情況下，專利權人或者利害關系人可以在起訴前向人民法院申請保全證據。

Article 67 For the purpose of stopping a patent infringement act and under the circumstances that evidence may be lost or become difficult to obtain subsequently, the patentee or stakeholder may, prior to filing a lawsuit, apply to a People's Court for preservation of evidence.

人民法院采取保全措施，可以責令申請人提供擔保；申請人不提供擔保的，駁回申請。

A People's Court adopting preservation measures may order the applicant to provide guarantee; where the applicant does not provide guarantee, the application shall be rejected.

人民法院應當自接受申請之時起四十八小時內作出裁定；裁定采取保全措施的，應當立即執行。

The People's Court shall make a ruling within 48 hours from the time of acceptance of the application; where the People's Court rules that preservation measures be adopted, the ruling shall be forthwith enforced.

申請人自人民法院采取保全措施之日起十五日內不起訴的，人民法院應當解除該措施。

Where the applicant failed to file a lawsuit within 15 days from the date on which the People's Court adopts preservation measures, the People's Court shall lift the measures.

第六十八條   侵犯專利權的訴訟時效為二年，自專利權人或者利害關系人得知或者應當得知侵權行為之日起計算。

Article 68 Prescription for instituting legal proceedings concerning the infringement of patent right is two years counted from the date on which the patentee or any interested party obtains or should have obtained knowledge of the infringing act.

發明專利申請公布後至專利權授予前使用該發明未支付適當使用費的，專利權人要求支付使用費的訴訟時效為二年，自專利權人得知或者應當得知他人使用其發明之日起計算，但是，專利權人於專利權授予之日前即已得知或者應當得知的，自專利權授予之日起計算。

Where anyone uses an invention after the application for a patent for this invention is published but before the patent right is granted without paying adequate royalties, the statute of limitations for the patentee to claim the payment of such royalties shall be two years, commencing from the date when the patentee knows or ought to know that his invention is used by some else. However, if the patentee has known or ought to know this fact prior to the date when the patent right is granted, the statute of limitations shall commence from the date when the patent right is granted.

第六十九條   有下列情形之一的，不視為侵犯專利權：

Article 69 None of the following shall be deemed an infringement of the patent right:

（一）專利產品或者依照專利方法直接獲得的產品，由專利權人或者經其許可的單位、個人售出後，使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口該產品的；

1. Anyone uses, offers to sell, sells or imports the patented product or the product directly obtained by the patented process after being sold by the patentee or the entity or individual authorized by the patentee;

（二）在專利申請日前已經制造相同產品、使用相同方法或者已經作好制造、使用的必要準備，並且僅在原有範圍內繼續制造、使用的；

2. Where, before the date of filing of the application for patent, any person who has already made the identical product, used the identical process, or made necessary preparations for its making or using, continues to make or use it within the original scope only;

（三）臨時通過中國領陸、領水、領空的外國運輸工具，依照其所屬國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照互惠原則，為運輸工具自身需要而在其裝置和設備中使用有關專利的；

(III) Any foreign means of transport which temporarily passes through the territory, territorial waters or territorial airspace of China uses the patent concerned in accordance with any agreement concluded between China and that country to which the foreign means of transport belongs, or in accordance with any international treaty to which both countries have acceded, or on the basis of the principle of reciprocity, for its own needs, in its devices and installations;

（四）專為科學研究和實驗而使用有關專利的；

(IV) Any person uses the patent concerned solely for the purposes of scientific research and experimentation; and

（五）為提供行政審批所需要的信息，制造、使用、進口專利藥品或者專利醫療器械的，以及專門為其制造、進口專利藥品或者專利醫療器械的。

(V) where, for the purpose of providing any information required for the administrative examination and approval, any patented drugs or medical devices are manufactured, used or imported, or any patented drugs or medical devices are specially manufactured or imported for them.

第七十條   為生產經營目的使用、許諾銷售或者銷售不知道是未經專利權人許可而制造並售出的專利侵權產品，能證明該產品合法來源的，不承擔賠償責任。

Article 70 Where an uninformed party which, for the purpose of manufacturing and business, uses, offers to sell or sells products of patent infringement which were manufactured and sold without licensing by the patentee can prove that the products are legitimately sourced, he/she shall not be liable for compensation.

第七十一條   違反本法第二十條規定向外國申請專利，泄露國家秘密的，由所在單位或者上級主管機關給予行政處分；構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任。

Article 71. Where any person, in violation of the provisions of Article 20 of this Law, files in a foreign country an application for a patent that divulges an important secret of the State, he shall be subject to disciplinary sanction by the entity to which he belongs or by the competent authority concerned at the higher level. If the circumstances are serious, he shall be prosecuted for his criminal liability according to the law.

第七十二條   侵奪發明人或者設計人的非職務發明創造專利申請權和本法規定的其他權益的，由所在單位或者上級主管機關給予行政處分。

Article 72. Where any person usurps the right of an inventor or creator to apply for a patent for a non-service invention-creation, or usurps any other right or interest of an inventor or creator, prescribed by this Law, he shall be subject to disciplinary sanction by the entity to which he belongs or by the competent authority at the higher level.

第七十三條   管理專利工作的部門不得參與向社會推薦專利產品等經營活動。

Article 73 No patent administrative department shall participate in the business activities such as recommending patented products to the public.

管理專利工作的部門違反前款規定的，由其上級機關或者監察機關責令改正，消除影響，有違法收入的予以沒收；情節嚴重的，對直接負責的主管人員和其他直接責任人員依法給予行政處分。

Where the administrative authority for patent affairs violates the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it shall be ordered by the authority at the next higher level or the supervisory authority to correct its mistakes and eliminate the bad effects. The illegal earnings, if any, shall be confiscated. Where the circumstances are serious, the persons who are directly in charge and the other persons who are directly responsible shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law.

第七十四條   從事專利管理工作的國家機關工作人員以及其他有關國家機關工作人員玩忽職守、濫用職權、徇私舞弊，構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任；尚不構成犯罪的，依法給予行政處分。

Article 74 Where any State functionary working for patent administration or any other State functionary working for patent administration or any other State functionary concerned neglects his duty, abuses his power, or engages in malpractice for personal gain, which constitutes a crime, shall be investigated for his criminal liability in accordance with law. If the case is not serious enough to constitute a crime, he shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law.

第八章附則

Chapter 8 Supplementary Provisions

第七十五條   向國務院專利行政部門申請專利和辦理其他手續，應當按照規定繳納費用。

Article 75 Any application filed for a patent or other formalities conducted via the patent administrative department under the State Council shall be subject to the payment of a fee as prescribed.

第七十六條   本法自1985年4月1日起施行。

Article 76 This Law shall go into effect on April 1, 1985.