Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)

Patent Agency Services

Relevant Mainland Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations promulgated by the Mainland authorities relating to the implementation of commitments under CEPA :

• "Patent Law of the People's Republic of China" (2020 Revision - Oct 2020) (in Chinese only)
• "Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China" (2023 Revision - Dec 2023) (in Chinese only)
• "Regulations on Patent Commissioning" (2018 Revision - Nov 2018) (in Chinese only)
• "Administrative Measures on Patent Agent" (2019 Revision - May 2019) (in Chinese only)
• "Implementation Plan for Advancing the Reform of the Notification and Commitment System for the Approval of Patent Agencies' Practicing Licenses Nationwide" (Circular of the China National Intellectual Property Administration Office No. 36 - Sep 2021) (in Chinese only)
• "Administrative Measures on Foreign Patent Agency Setting Up Resident Representative Offices in China" (Circular of the China National Intellectual Property Administration No. 1 - Jan 2022) (in Chinese only)

Qualification Examination for Patent Attorneys

• According to the Agreement on Trade in Services, eligible Hong Kong permanent residents with Chinese citizenship may take the National Qualification Examination for Patent Attorneys in the Mainland. A Patent Attorney Qualification Certificate will be issued to those who pass the examination.
• For details, please refer to:
  • "Arrangements for Hong Kong and Macao Residents To Take the National Qualification Examination for Patent Attorneys" (Circular of the State Intellectual Property Office No. 101 - Apr 2004) (in Chinese only)
  • "Measures for the Qualification Examination for Patent Attorneys" (Order of the State Administration for Market Regulation of the People's Republic of China No. 7 - May 2019) (in Chinese only)

Enquiries concerning the application procedures and requirements for the provision of patent agency services in the Mainland can be directed to :

• China National Intellectual Property Administration
  ( Website: www.cnipa.gov.cn )