After 20 years of implementation, the current Regulations on Patent Representation are in the process of revision. The Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council is soliciting comments for the draft of the Regulations since February 2011.
In light of challenges posed to the existing regulations, the draft changed the title of patent professionals. Patent attorney is suggested to replace patent agent. For establishment of patent agencies, the general partnership is included in the draft. The draft also raised the conditions of being a partner or shareholder. Further, the draft set out the requirement for a general law firm to open business of patent prosecution.
