Newsletter November

1. Our Firm Listed in the Top 100 Patent Law Firms for Patents Granted in 2019

Patentics, a patent research database in China, released the ranking of Top 100 Patent Law Firms for Patents Granted in 2019, including invention and utility model. Beyond Talent Patent Law Firm, which is a subsidiary of Bridgeon Law Firm, was ranked the 33rd in the list.

The list was evaluated based on the comprehensive database of Patentics from major patent offices worldwide. Patentics has always been credited as a recognized patent research service provider in China with its overall and objective service. . 

Bridgeon Law Firm is well-experienced in handling patent prosecution and litigations. Bridgeon Law Firm and its subsidiary are qualified to represent client before the Patent Office, the Patent Reexamination Board and various courts. We have a deep understanding about the Chinese practices and can help clients to achieve their goals with our knowledge and experiences. We file over 2000 patents and trademarks per year and the average grant rate for patent and trademark filing is near 80% and 95%, respectively.

2. Comparing the Approach to AI Patent Applications in the US and China

Ms. Youping Ma and Mr. Guoquan Yang, partners of Bridgeon Law Firm, published an article of “Comparing the Approach to AI Patent Applications in the US and China” in the November issue of MIP 2019. The article compared the stances taken by US and Chinese examiners on AI-related patent applications, and gave advice on how to file AI applications.  

A China examiner will consider the subject matter issue of AI patent applications from a different point of view from a US examiner. In China, because the method of construing a claim is favorable to an applicant, the abstract issue is generally not a big problem as in US.

As a frontier technology, more attentions are being given to AI-related patents. This also poses great challenges for the Patent Law. China will continue to clarify details in the Guidelines of Patent Examination to satisfy the ever growing demand in practice.  

3. Punitive Compensation for IP Infringement to be in Force from January 1, 2020.

Recently, the State Council made public the Regulation on Optimizing the Business Environment to unleash productive forces and advance development.

The regulation, released under a decree signed by Premier Li Keqiang, will become effective from Jan 1, 2020.

According to the regulation, China plans to set up a system of punitive compensation for IP infringements. China will establish a fast-track IP protection mechanism, improve the mechanisms to resolve IP disputes through multiple approaches and assistances, and increase IP protection for foreign investors and enterprises.

It also clarifies issues on how to simplify patent and trademark filings and issues on how to improve examination efficiency.