The 15th China Patent Award selection, jointly organized by the State Intellectual Property Office(SIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization(WIPO) was launched recently. SIPO issued a Circular on Selection of the 15th China Patent Award to local IP offices, the relative departments under the State Council and some associations across the nation.
According to the circular, there are 4 award categories: Chinese patent gold medal, Chinese design gold medal, Chinese patent award of excellence and Chinese design award of excellence. A total of 20 patent gold medals and 5 design gold medals will be selected.
In order to win an award, the following requirement shall be met: the patent application should have been filed with SIPO and patents were granted before December 31, 2012. Patents include invention, utility model and design, excluding defense patents, secret patents. The patent rights should be of high certainty and superior standard, and should be put into use, bring good economic and social benefits. The ownership of the patent rights should be clear, without legal dispute, and all patentees should agree to apply. However, previous winners should not attend.
