Recently, the State Intellectual Property Office issued Several Opinions on Supporting the Development of Small and Micro businesses (hereinafter as the “Opinions”).
According to the Opinions:
1.The core patent application of small and micro-enterprises (MSMEs) will have the priority to be first examined, and programs will be set up to help MSMEs to obtain patent right overseas. Financial support for patent applications will be more oriented to MSMEs. The first invention patent obtained by MSMEs will be specially awarded.
2.A system of IP financial service demands survey for MSMEs will be established to encourage IP commercialization of MSMEs by pledge, licensing and share acquisition. Credit guarantee system for MSMEs will be established to specifically support the IP pledge. IP insurance service system will be absorbed as the guideline policy for MSMEs, such as reducing the loan rate of patent pledge and insurance premium etc.
3.The government will play an active role in public IP services and will reinforce IP administrative enforcement and promote the establishment of an efficient mediation mechanism for patent infringement.
It is learnt that currently China has about 1.17 million MSMEs, accounting for 77% of the total of domestic enterprises, which have urgent demands for assistance in IP fields.