Adjusting Submission of Statement of Incorporation by Reference of PCT International Applications Entering Chinese National Phase (2022-12)

On December 7, 2022, the National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) adjusted some procedures for patent prosecution. It is stipulated in PCT international applications: from January 11, 2023, if the PCT international application contains an element or part to be incorporated by reference in the international phase, the applicant shall submit a Statement at the same time when submitting a Declaration of the international application for entering the Chinese national phase when going through the procedure for entering the national phase electronically.  In the Statement the following items shall be stated:

 (1) Whether the submitted Chinese translation contains an element or part of the incorporation by reference;

 (2) If containing an element or part of the incorporation by reference, and requesting an amendment of a filing date to China, please specify: where the element or part to be incorporated by reference is of the specification (page(s)_ ), claims (No(s)._ ), drawings (page(s)_) and the timing when the incorporation by reference submitted in the international phase.

If the applicant does not request to amend the filing date to China when going through the procedure for entering the national phase, it is not allowed to retain the element or part of the incorporation by reference by the means of requesting to amend the filing date to China in subsequent procedures.

Adapted from the CNIPA