Patent Law of the People's Republic of China
中華人民共和國專利法
(Adopted at the 4th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People's Congress on March 12,1984, amended for the first time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress on Amending the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China at its 27th Meeting on September 4,1992, amended for the second time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on Amending the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at its 17th Meeting on August 25, 2000, and amended for the third time in accordance with the Decision of the Standing Committee of the Eleventh National People's Congress on Amending the Patent Law of the People's Republic of China at its 6th Meeting on December 27, 2008)
（１９８４年３月１２日第六屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第四次會議通過 根據１９９２年９月４日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第二十七次會議《關于修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第一次修正 根據２０００年８月２５日第九屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十七次會議《關于修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第二次修正 根據２００８年１２月２７日第十一屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第六次會議《關于修改〈中華人民共和國專利法〉的決定》第三次修正）
Contents
目錄
Chapter I General Provisions
第一章 總則
Chapter II Conditions for Granting Patent Rights
第二章 授予專利權的條件
Chapter III Patent Application
第三章 專利的申請
Chapter IV Examination and Approval of Patent Applications
第四章 專利申請的審查和批準
Chapter V Duration, Termination and Invalidation of Patent Rights
第五章 專利權的期限、終止和無效
Chapter VI Compulsory License for Exploitation of a Patent
第六章 專利實施的強制許可
Chapter VII Protection of Patent Rights
第七章 專利權的保護
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
第八章 附則
Chapter I General Provisions
第一章 總則
Article 1 This Law is enacted for the purpose of protecting the lawful rights and interests of patentees, encouraging invention-creation, promoting the application of invention-creation, enhancing innovation capability, promoting the advancement of science and technology and the economic and social development.
第一條 為了保護專利權人的合法權益，鼓勵發明創造，推動發明創造的應用，提高創新能力，促進科學技術進步和經濟社會發展，制定本法。
Article 2 For the purposes of this Law, invention-creations mean inventions, utility models and designs.
第二條 本法所稱的發明創造是指發明、實用新型和外觀設計。
Inventions mean new technical solutions proposed for a product, a process or the improvement thereof.
發明，是指對產品、方法或者其改進所提出的新的技術方案。
Utility models mean new technical solutions proposed for the shape and structure of a product, or the combination thereof, which are fit for practical use.
實用新型，是指對產品的形狀、構造或者其結合所提出的適于實用的新的技術方案。
Designs mean, with respect to a product, new designs of the shape, pattern, or the combination thereof, or the combination of the color with shape and pattern, which are rich in an aesthetic appeal and are fit for industrial application.
外觀設計，是指對產品的形狀、圖案或者其結合以及色彩與形狀、圖案的結合所作出的富有美感并適于工業應用的新設計。
Article 3 The Patent Administration Department under the State Council shall be responsible for the administration of patent-related work nationwide. It shall accept and examine patent applications in a uniform way and grant patent rights in accordance with law.
第三條 國務院專利行政部門負責管理全國的專利工作；統一受理和審查專利申請，依法授予專利權。
The departments in charge of patent-related work of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for patent administration within their respective administrative areas.
省、自治區、直轄市人民政府管理專利工作的部門負責本行政區域內的專利管理工作。
Article 4 Where an invention-creation for the patent of which an application is filed involves national security or other major interests of the State and confidentiality needs to be maintained, the application shall be handled in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State.
第四條 申請專利的發明創造涉及國家安全或者重大利益需要保密的，按照國家有關規定辦理。
Article 5 Patent rights shall not be granted for invention-creations that violate the law or social ethics, or harm public interests.
第五條 對違反法律、社會公德或者妨害公共利益的發明創造，不授予專利權。
Patent rights shall not be granted for inventions that are accomplished by relying on genetic resources which are obtained or used in violation of the provisions of laws and administrative regulations.
對違反法律、行政法規的規定獲取或者利用遺傳資源，并依賴該遺傳資源完成的發明創造，不授予專利權。
Article 6 An invention-creation that is accomplished in the course of performing the duties of an employee, or mainly by using the material and technical conditions of an employer shall be deemed an employment invention-creation. For an employment invention-creation, the employer has the right to apply for a patent. After such application is granted, the employer shall be the patentee.
第六條 執行本單位的任務或者主要是利用本單位的物質技術條件所完成的發明創造為職務發明創造。職務發明創造申請專利的權利屬于該單位；申請被批準后，該單位為專利權人。
For a non-employment invention-creation, the inventor or designer has the right to apply for a patent. After such application is granted, the said inventor or designer shall be the patentee.
非職務發明創造，申請專利的權利屬于發明人或者設計人；申請被批準后，該發明人或者設計人為專利權人。
For an invention-creation that is accomplished by using the material and technical conditions of an employer, if the employer has concluded a contract with the inventor or designer providing the ownership of the right to apply for the patent or the ownership of the patent right, such provision shall prevail.
利用本單位的物質技術條件所完成的發明創造，單位與發明人或者設計人訂有合同，對申請專利的權利和專利權的歸屬作出約定的，從其約定。
Article 7 No unit or individual shall prevent the inventor or designer from filing a patent application for a non-employment invention.
第七條 對發明人或者設計人的非職務發明創造專利申請，任何單位或者個人不得壓制。
Article 8 With regard to an invention-creation accomplished by two or more units or individuals in collaboration, or an invention-creation accomplished by an unit or individual under the entrustment of another unit or individual, the right to apply for a patent shall be vested in the units or individuals that have accomplished the invention-creation in collaboration or in the unit or individual that has done so under entrustment, unless it is otherwise agreed upon. After the application is granted, the applying unit(s) or individual(s) shall be deemed the patentee(s).
第八條 兩個以上單位或者個人合作完成的發明創造、一個單位或者個人接受其他單位或者個人委托所完成的發明創造，除另有協議的以外，申請專利的權利屬于完成或者共同完成的單位或者個人；申請被批準后，申請的單位或者個人為專利權人。
Article 9 Only one patent can be granted for the same invention. However, where the same applicant applies for a utility model patent and an invention patent with regard to the same invention on the same day, if the utility model patent acquired earlier is not terminated yet and the applicant declares his waiver of the same, the invention patent may be granted.
第九條 同樣的發明創造只能授予一項專利權。但是，同一申請人同日對同樣的發明創造既申請實用新型專利又申請發明專利，先獲得的實用新型專利權尚未終止，且申請人聲明放棄該實用新型專利權的，可以授予發明專利權。
If two or more applicants apply for a patent for the same invention separately, the patent right shall be granted to the first applicant.
兩個以上的申請人分別就同樣的發明創造申請專利的，專利權授予最先申請的人。
Article 10 The right to apply for a patent and patent rights may be transferred.
第十條 專利申請權和專利權可以轉讓。
If a Chinese unit or individual intends to transfer the right to apply for a patent or patent rights to a foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization, it or he shall perform the procedures in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations.
中國單位或者個人向外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織轉讓專利申請權或者專利權的，應當依照有關法律、行政法規的規定辦理手續。
For the transfer of the right to apply for a patent or of patent rights, the parties concerned shall conclude a written contract and file for registration at the patent administration department under the State Council, and the latter shall make an announcement thereof. The transfer of the right to apply for a patent or of patent rights shall become effective as of the registration date.
轉讓專利申請權或者專利權的，當事人應當訂立書面合同，并向國務院專利行政部門登記，由國務院專利行政部門予以公告。專利申請權或者專利權的轉讓自登記之日起生效。
Article 11 After the patent right is granted for an invention or a utility model, unless otherwise provided for in this Law, no unit or individual may exploit the patent without permission of the patentee, i.e., it or he may not, for production or business purposes, manufacture, use, offer to sell, sell, or import the patented products, use the patented method, or use, offer to sell, sell or import the products that are developed directly through the use of the patented method.
第十一條 發明和實用新型專利權被授予后，除本法另有規定的以外，任何單位或者個人未經專利權人許可，都不得實施其專利，即不得為生產經營目的制造、使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口其專利產品，或者使用其專利方法以及使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口依照該專利方法直接獲得的產品。
After a design patent right is granted, no unit or individual may exploit the patent without permission of the patentee, i.e., it or he may not, for production or business purposes, manufacture, offer to sell, sell or import the design patent products.
外觀設計專利權被授予后，任何單位或者個人未經專利權人許可，都不得實施其專利，即不得為生產經營目的制造、許諾銷售、銷售、進口其外觀設計專利產品。
Article 12 Any unit or individual that intends to exploit the patent of another unit or individual shall conclude a contract with the patentee for permitted exploitation and pay the royalties. The permittee shall not have the right to allow any unit or individual not specified in the contract to exploit the said patent.
第十二條 任何單位或者個人實施他人專利的，應當與專利權人訂立實施許可合同，向專利權人支付專利使用費。被許可人無權允許合同規定以外的任何單位或者個人實施該專利。
Article 13 After the application for an invention patent is published, the applicant may require the unit or individual that exploits the said patent to pay an appropriate amount of royalties.
第十三條 發明專利申請公布后，申請人可以要求實施其發明的單位或者個人支付適當的費用。
Article 14 If an invention patent of a State-owned enterprise or institution is of great significance to national or public interests, upon approval by the State Council, the relevant competent department under the State Council or the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may decide to have the patent widely applied within an approved scope and allow the designated units to exploit the patent, and the said units shall pay royalties to the patentee in accordance with the regulations of the State.
第十四條 國有企業事業單位的發明專利，對國家利益或者公共利益具有重大意義的，國務院有關主管部門和省、自治區、直轄市人民政府報經國務院批準，可以決定在批準的范圍內推廣應用，允許指定的單位實施，由實施單位按照國家規定向專利權人支付使用費。
Article 15 If there are agreements regarding the exercise of rights by the co-owners of the right to apply for the patent or of the patent right, the agreements shall prevail. In the absence of such agreements, the co-owners may separately exploit the patent or may, in an ordinary manner, permit others to exploit the said patent. Where others are permitted to exploit the patent, the royalties received shall be distributed among the co-owners.
第十五條 專利申請權或者專利權的共有人對權利的行使有約定的，從其約定。沒有約定的，共有人可以單獨實施或者以普通許可方式許可他人實施該專利；許可他人實施該專利的，收取的使用費應當在共有人之間分配。
Except under the circumstances specified in the preceding paragraph, exercise of the co-owned right to apply for patent or of the co-owned patent right shall be subject to the consent of all the co-owners.
除前款規定的情形外，行使共有的專利申請權或者專利權應當取得全體共有人的同意。
Article 16 The unit that is granted the patent right shall reward the inventor or designer of an employment invention-creation. After such patent is exploited, the inventor or designer shall be given a reasonable amount of remuneration according to the scope of application and the economic results.
第十六條 被授予專利權的單位應當對職務發明創造的發明人或者設計人給予獎勵；發明創造專利實施后，根據其推廣應用的范圍和取得的經濟效益，對發明人或者設計人給予合理的報酬。
Article 17 An inventor or designer shall have the right to state in the patent documents that he is the inventor or designer.
第十七條 發明人或者設計人有權在專利文件中寫明自己是發明人或者設計人。
The patentee shall have the right to have his patent mark displayed on the patented products or the package of such products.
專利權人有權在其專利產品或者該產品的包裝上標明專利標識。
Article 18 Where a foreigner, foreign enterprise or other foreign organization without a regular residence or business site in China applies for a patent in China, the application shall be handled in accordance with the agreements concluded by the country he or it belongs to and China or the international treaties to which both the countries have acceded or in accordance with this Law on the principle of reciprocity.
第十八條 在中國沒有經常居所或者營業所的外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織在中國申請專利的，依照其所屬國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照互惠原則，根據本法辦理。
Article 19 If a foreigner, foreign enterprise, or other foreign organization without a regular residence or business site in China intends to apply for a patent or handle other patent-related matters in China, he or it shall entrust a legally established patent agency with the application and such matters.
第十九條 在中國沒有經常居所或者營業所的外國人、外國企業或者外國其他組織在中國申請專利和辦理其他專利事務的，應當委托依法設立的專利代理機構辦理。
If a Chinese unit or individual intends to apply for a patent or handle other patent-related matters in China, it or he may entrust a legally established patent agency with the application and such matters.
中國單位或者個人在國內申請專利和辦理其他專利事務的，可以委托依法設立的專利代理機構辦理。
A patent agency shall abide by laws and administrative regulations and handle patent applications or other patent-related matters as entrusted by its principals. It shall also be obligated to keep confidential the contents of the inventions of its principals, unless the patent applications have been published or announced. The specific measures for administration of the patent agencies shall be formulated by the State Council.
專利代理機構應當遵守法律、行政法規，按照被代理人的委托辦理專利申請或者其他專利事務；對被代理人發明創造的內容，除專利申請已經公布或者公告的以外，負有保密責任。專利代理機構的具體管理辦法由國務院規定。
Article 20 Any unit or individual that intends to apply for patent in a foreign country for an invention or utility model accomplished in China shall submit the matter to the patent administration department under the State Council for confidentiality examination. Such examination shall be conducted in conformity with the procedures, time limit, etc. prescribed by the State Council.
第二十條 任何單位或者個人將在中國完成的發明或者實用新型向外國申請專利的，應當事先報經國務院專利行政部門進行保密審查。保密審查的程序、期限等按照國務院的規定執行。
A Chinese unit or individual may file for international patent applications in accordance with the relevant international treaties to which China has acceded. The applicant for such patent shall comply with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
中國單位或者個人可以根據中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約提出專利國際申請。申請人提出專利國際申請的，應當遵守前款規定。
The patent administration department under the State Council shall handle international patent applications in accordance with the relevant international treaties to which China has acceded and the relevant provisions of this Law and regulations of the State Council.
國務院專利行政部門依照中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約、本法和國務院有關規定處理專利國際申請。
With regard to an invention or utility model for which an application is filed for a patent in a foreign country in violation of the provisions of the first paragraph of this Article, if an application is also filed for the patent in China, patent right shall not be granted.
對違反本條第一款規定向外國申請專利的發明或者實用新型，在中國申請專利的，不授予專利權。
Article 21 The patent administration department under the State Council and its Patent Review Board shall, according to the requirements of objectivity, fairness, accuracy and timeliness, handle patent applications and requests in accordance with law.
第二十一條 國務院專利行政部門及其專利復審委員會應當按照客觀、公正、準確、及時的要求，依法處理有關專利的申請和請求。
The patent administration department under the State Council shall release patent-related information in a complete, accurate and timely manner, and publish patent gazettes on a regular basis.
國務院專利行政部門應當完整、準確、及時發布專利信息，定期出版專利公報。
Before a patent application is published or announced, the staff members of the patent administration department under the State Council and the persons concerned shall be obligated to keep such application confidential.
在專利申請公布或者公告前，國務院專利行政部門的工作人員及有關人員對其內容負有保密責任。
Chapter II Conditions for Granting Patent Rights
第二章 授予專利權的條件
Article 22 Inventions and utility models for which patent rights are to be granted shall be ones which are novel, creative and of practical use.
第二十二條 授予專利權的發明和實用新型，應當具備新穎性、創造性和實用性。
Novelty means that the invention or utility model concerned is not an existing technology; no patent application is filed by any unit or individual for any identical invention or utility model with the patent administration department under the State Council before the date of application for patent right, and no identical invention or utility model is recorded in the patent application documents or the patent documentations which are published or announced after the date of application.
新穎性，是指該發明或者實用新型不屬于現有技術；也沒有任何單位或者個人就同樣的發明或者實用新型在申請日以前向國務院專利行政部門提出過申請，并記載在申請日以后公布的專利申請文件或者公告的專利文件中。
Creativity means that, compared with the existing technologies, the invention possesses prominent substantive features and indicates remarkable advancements, and the utility model possesses substantive features and indicates advancements.
創造性，是指與現有技術相比，該發明具有突出的實質性特點和顯著的進步，該實用新型具有實質性特點和進步。
Practical use means that the said invention or utility model can be used for production or be utilized, and may produce positive results
實用性，是指該發明或者實用新型能夠制造或者使用，并且能夠產生積極效果。
For the purposes of this Law, existing technologies mean the technologies known to the public both domestically and abroad before the date of application.
本法所稱現有技術，是指申請日以前在國內外為公眾所知的技術。
Article 23 A design for which the patent right is granted is not an existing design, and no application is filed by any unit or individual for any identical design with the patent administration department under the State Council before the date of application for patent right and no identical design is recorded in the patent documentations announced after the date of application.
第二十三條 授予專利權的外觀設計，應當不屬于現有設計；也沒有任何單位或者個人就同樣的外觀設計在申請日以前向國務院專利行政部門提出過申請，并記載在申請日以后公告的專利文件中。
Designs for which the patent right is to be granted shall be ones which are distinctly different from the existing designs or the combinations of the features of existing designs.
授予專利權的外觀設計與現有設計或者現有設計特征的組合相比，應當具有明顯區別。
Designs for which a patent right is granted shall be ones which are not in conflict with the lawful rights acquired by others prior to the date of application.
授予專利權的外觀設計不得與他人在申請日以前已經取得的合法權利相沖突。
For the purposes of this Law, existing designs mean designs that are known to the public both domestically and abroad before the date of application.
本法所稱現有設計，是指申請日以前在國內外為公眾所知的設計。
Article 24 Within six months before the date of application, an invention for which an application is filed for a patent does not lose its novelty under any of the following circumstances:
第二十四條 申請專利的發明創造在申請日以前六個月內，有下列情形之一的，不喪失新穎性：
(1) It is exhibited for the first time at an international exhibition sponsored or recognized by the Chinese Government;
（一）在中國政府主辦或者承認的國際展覽會上首次展出的；
(2) It is published for the first time at a specified academic or technological conference; and
（二）在規定的學術會議或者技術會議上首次發表的；
(3) Its contents are divulged by others without the consent of the applicant.
（三）他人未經申請人同意而泄露其內容的。
Article 25 Patent rights shall not be granted for any of the following:
第二十五條 對下列各項，不授予專利權：
(1) scientific discoveries;
（一）科學發現；
(2) rules and methods for intellectual activities;
（二）智力活動的規則和方法；
(3) methods for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases;
（三）疾病的診斷和治療方法；
(4) animal or plant varieties;
（四）動物和植物品種；
(5) substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation; and
（五）用原子核變換方法獲得的物質；
(6) designs that are mainly used for marking the pattern, color or the combination of the two of prints.
（六）對平面印刷品的圖案、色彩或者二者的結合作出的主要起標識作用的設計。
The patent right may, in accordance with the provisions of this Law, be granted for the production methods of the products specified in Subparagraph (4) of the preceding paragraph.
對前款第（四）項所列產品的生產方法，可以依照本法規定授予專利權。
Chapter III Patent Application
第三章 專利的申請
Article 26 When a person intends to apply for an invention or utility model patent, he shall submit the relevant documents, such as a written request, a written description and its abstract, and a written claim.
第二十六條 申請發明或者實用新型專利的，應當提交請求書、說明書及其摘要和權利要求書等文件。
In the written request shall be specified the name of the invention or utility model, the name of the inventor or designer, the name or title and the address of the applicant and other related matters.
請求書應當寫明發明或者實用新型的名稱，發明人的姓名，申請人姓名或者名稱、地址，以及其他事項。
The written description shall contain a clear and comprehensive description of the invention or utility model so that a technician in the field of the relevant technology can carry it out; when necessary, pictures shall be attached to it. The abstract shall contain a brief introduction to the main technical points of the invention or utility model.
說明書應當對發明或者實用新型作出清楚、完整的說明，以所屬技術領域的技術人員能夠實現為準；必要的時候，應當有附圖。摘要應當簡要說明發明或者實用新型的技術要點。
The written claim shall, based on the written description, contain a clear and concise definition of the proposed scope of patent protection.
權利要求書應當以說明書為依據，清楚、簡要地限定要求專利保護的范圍。
With regard to an invention-creation accomplished by relying on genetic resources, the applicant shall, in the patent application documents, indicate the direct and original source of the genetic resources. If the applicant cannot indicate the original source, he shall state the reasons.
依賴遺傳資源完成的發明創造，申請人應當在專利申請文件中說明該遺傳資源的直接來源和原始來源；申請人無法說明原始來源的，應當陳述理由。
Article 27 When a person intends to apply for a design patent, he shall submit a written request, drawings or pictures of the design, a brief description of the design, and other relevant documents.
第二十七條 申請外觀設計專利的，應當提交請求書、該外觀設計的圖片或者照片以及對該外觀設計的簡要說明等文件。
In the relevant drawings or pictures submitted by the applicant shall clearly be shown the design of the products for which patent protection is requested.
申請人提交的有關圖片或者照片應當清楚地顯示要求專利保護的產品的外觀設計。
Article 28 The date when the patent administration department under the State Council receives the patent application documents is the date of application. If the application documents are delivered by post, the date of the postmark is the date of application.
第二十八條 國務院專利行政部門收到專利申請文件之日為申請日。如果申請文件是郵寄的，以寄出的郵戳日為申請日。
Article 29 If, within twelve months from the date the applicant first files an application for an invention or utility model patent in a foreign country, or within six months from the date the applicant first files an application for a design patent in a foreign country, he files an application for a patent in China for the same subject matter, he may enjoy the right of priority in accordance with the agreements concluded between the said foreign country and China, or in accordance with the international treaties to which both countries have acceded, or on the principle of mutual recognition of the right of priority.
第二十九條 申請人自發明或者實用新型在外國第一次提出專利申請之日起十二個月內，或者自外觀設計在外國第一次提出專利申請之日起六個月內，又在中國就相同主題提出專利申請的，依照該外國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照相互承認優先權的原則，可以享有優先權。
If, within twelve months form the date the applicant first files an application for an invention or utility model patent in China, he files an application for a patent with the patent administration department under the State Council for the same subject matter, the applicant may enjoy the right of priority.
申請人自發明或者實用新型在中國第一次提出專利申請之日起十二個月內，又向國務院專利行政部門就相同主題提出專利申請的，可以享有優先權。
Article 30 An applicant who requests the right of priority shall submit a written declaration at the time of application and submit, within three months, duplicates of the patent application documents filed for the first time. Where no written declaration is submitted or no duplicates of the patent application documents are submitted at the expiration of the specified time limit, the applicant shall be deemed to have waived the right of priority.
第三十條 申請人要求優先權的，應當在申請的時候提出書面聲明，并且在三個月內提交第一次提出的專利申請文件的副本；未提出書面聲明或者逾期未提交專利申請文件副本的，視為未要求優先權。
Article 31 An application for an invention patent or utility model patent shall be limited to one invention or utility model. Two or more inventions or utility models embodied in a single general invention concept may be handled with one application.
第三十一條 一件發明或者實用新型專利申請應當限于一項發明或者實用新型。屬于一個總的發明構思的兩項以上的發明或者實用新型，可以作為一件申請提出。
An application for a design patent shall be limited to one design. Two or more similar designs of one and the same product or two or more designs of products of the same kind that are sold or used in sets may be handled with one application.
一件外觀設計專利申請應當限于一項外觀設計。同一產品兩項以上的相似外觀設計，或者用于同一類別并且成套出售或者使用的產品的兩項以上外觀設計，可以作為一件申請提出。
Article 32 An applicant may withdraw his patent application anytime before being granted the patent right.
第三十二條 申請人可以在被授予專利權之前隨時撤回其專利申請。
Article 33 An applicant may amend his patent application documents, provided that the amendment to the invention or utility model patent application documents does not exceed the scope specified in the original written descriptions and claims, or that the amendment to the design patent application documents does not exceed the scope shown in the original drawings or pictures.
第三十三條 申請人可以對其專利申請文件進行修改，但是，對發明和實用新型專利申請文件的修改不得超出原說明書和權利要求書記載的范圍，對外觀設計專利申請文件的修改不得超出原圖片或者照片表示的范圍。
Chapter IV Examination and Approval of Patent Applications
第四章 專利申請的審查和批準
Article 34 Upon receipt of an invention patent application, if the patent administration department under the State Council, after preliminary examination, confirms that the application meets the requirements of this Law, it shall publish the application within 18 full months from the date of application. And it may do so at an earlier date upon request of the applicant.
第三十四條 國務院專利行政部門收到發明專利申請后，經初步審查認為符合本法要求的，自申請日起滿十八個月，即行公布。國務院專利行政部門可以根據申請人的請求早日公布其申請。
Article 35 Within three years from the date an invention patent application is filed, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon request made by the applicant at any time, carry out substantive examination of the application. If the applicant, without legitimate reasons, fails to request substantive examination at the expiration of the time limit, such application shall be deemed to have been withdrawn.
第三十五條 發明專利申請自申請日起三年內，國務院專利行政部門可以根據申請人隨時提出的請求，對其申請進行實質審查；申請人無正當理由逾期不請求實質審查的，該申請即被視為撤回。
The patent administration department under the State Council may carry out substantive examination of its own accord, as it deems it necessary.
國務院專利行政部門認為必要的時候，可以自行對發明專利申請進行實質審查。
Article 36 When an applicant for an invention patent requests substantive examination, he shall submit the reference materials relating to the invention existing prior to the date of application.
第三十六條 發明專利的申請人請求實質審查的時候，應當提交在申請日前與其發明有關的參考資料。
If an application has been filed for an invention patent in a foreign country, the patent administration department under the State Council may require the applicant to submit, within a specified time limit, materials concerning any search made for the purpose of examining the application in that country, or materials concerning the results of any examination made in the country. In the event of the applicant's failure to comply at the expiration of the specified time limit without legitimate reasons, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
發明專利已經在外國提出過申請的，國務院專利行政部門可以要求申請人在指定期限內提交該國為審查其申請進行檢索的資料或者審查結果的資料；無正當理由逾期不提交的，該申請即被視為撤回。
Article 37 After the patent administration department under the State Council has made the substantive examination of the invention patent application, if it finds that the application does not conform to the provisions of this Law, it shall notify the applicant of the need to state its opinions within a specified time limit or to make amendment to the application. In the event of the applicant's failure to comply at the expiration of the specified time limit without legitimate reasons, the application shall be deemed to be withdrawn.
第三十七條 國務院專利行政部門對發明專利申請進行實質審查后，認為不符合本法規定的，應當通知申請人，要求其在指定的期限內陳述意見，或者對其申請進行修改；無正當理由逾期不答復的，該申請即被視為撤回。
Article 38 After the applicant states his opinions on or makes amendment to the invention patent application, if the patent administration department under the State Council still believes the application does not conform to the provisions of this Law, it shall reject the application.
第三十八條 發明專利申請經申請人陳述意見或者進行修改后，國務院專利行政部門仍然認為不符合本法規定的，應當予以駁回。
Article 39 If no reason for rejection is discerned after an invention patent application is substantively examined, the patent administration department under the State Council shall make a decision on granting of the invention patent right, issue an invention patent certificate, and meanwhile register and announce the same. The invention patent right shall become effective as of the date of announcement.
第三十九條 發明專利申請經實質審查沒有發現駁回理由的，由國務院專利行政部門作出授予發明專利權的決定，發給發明專利證書，同時予以登記和公告。發明專利權自公告之日起生效。
Article 40 If no reason for rejection is discerned after preliminary examination of a utility model or design patent application, the patent administration department under the State Council shall make a decision on granting of the utility model or design patent right, issue a corresponding patent certificate, and meanwhile register and announce the same. The utility model patent right and the design patent right shall become effective as of the date of announcement.
第四十條 實用新型和外觀設計專利申請經初步審查沒有發現駁回理由的，由國務院專利行政部門作出授予實用新型專利權或者外觀設計專利權的決定，發給相應的專利證書，同時予以登記和公告。實用新型專利權和外觀設計專利權自公告之日起生效。
Article 41 The patent administration department under the State Council shall establish a patent review board. If a patent applicant is dissatisfied with the decision made by the Patent Administration Department under the State Council on rejecting of the application, he may, within three months from the date of receipt of the notification, file a request with the patent review board for review. After review, the Patent Review Board shall make a decision and notify the patent applicant of the same.
第四十一條 國務院專利行政部門設立專利復審委員會。專利申請人對國務院專利行政部門駁回申請的決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內，向專利復審委員會請求復審。專利復審委員會復審后，作出決定，并通知專利申請人。
If the patent applicant is dissatisfied with the review decision made by the patent review board, he may take legal action before the people's court within three months from the date of receipt of the notification.
專利申請人對專利復審委員會的復審決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。
Chapter V Duration, Termination and Invalidation of Patent Rights
第五章 專利權的期限、終止和無效
Article 42 The duration of the invention patent right shall be 20 years and that of the utility model patent right and of the design patent right shall be ten years respectively, all commencing from the date of application.
第四十二條 發明專利權的期限為二十年，實用新型專利權和外觀設計專利權的期限為十年，均自申請日起計算。
Article 43 The patentee shall pay annual fees commencing from the year when the patent right is granted.
第四十三條 專利權人應當自被授予專利權的當年開始繳納年費。
Article 44 Under any of the following circumstances, the patent right shall be terminated before the expiration of the duration:
第四十四條 有下列情形之一的，專利權在期限屆滿前終止：
(1) failure to pay the annual fee as required; or
（一）沒有按照規定繳納年費的；
(2) the patentee waiving of the patent right by a written declaration.
（二）專利權人以書面聲明放棄其專利權的。
If a patent right is terminated before the duration expires, the patent administration department under the State Council shall register and announce such termination.
專利權在期限屆滿前終止的，由國務院專利行政部門登記和公告。
Article 45 Beginning from the date the patent administration department under the State Council announces the grant of a patent right, if a unit or individual believes that such grant does not conform to the relevant provisions of this Law, it or he may request that the patent review board declare the said patent right invalid.
第四十五條 自國務院專利行政部門公告授予專利權之日起，任何單位或者個人認為該專利權的授予不符合本法有關規定的，可以請求專利復審委員會宣告該專利權無效。
Article 46 The patent review board shall examine the request for declaring a patent right invalid and make a decision in a timely manner and notify the requesting person and the patentee of its decision. The decision on declaring a patent right invalid shall be registered and announced by the patent administration department under the State Council.
第四十六條 專利復審委員會對宣告專利權無效的請求應當及時審查和作出決定，并通知請求人和專利權人。宣告專利權無效的決定，由國務院專利行政部門登記和公告。
A person that is dissatisfied with the patent review board's decision on declaring a patent right invalid or its decision on affirming the patent right may take legal action before a people's court, within three months from the date of receipt of the notification. The people's court shall notify the opposite party in the invalidation procedure to participate in the litigation as a third party.
對專利復審委員會宣告專利權無效或者維持專利權的決定不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。人民法院應當通知無效宣告請求程序的對方當事人作為第三人參加訴訟。
Article 47 Any patent right that has been declared invalid shall be deemed to be non-existent from the beginning.
第四十七條 宣告無效的專利權視為自始即不存在。
The decision on declaring a patent right invalid shall have no retroactive effect on any written judgment or written mediation on patent infringement that has been made and enforced by the people's court, or on any decision concerning the handling of a dispute over the patent infringement that has been performed or compulsively executed, or on any contract for permitted exploitation of the patent or for transfer of patent rights that has been performed--prior to the invalidation declaration of the patent right. However, compensation shall be made for the losses caused to another person mala fides by the patentee.
宣告專利權無效的決定，對在宣告專利權無效前人民法院作出并已執行的專利侵權的判決、調解書，已經履行或者強制執行的專利侵權糾紛處理決定，以及已經履行的專利實施許可合同和專利權轉讓合同，不具有追溯力。但是因專利權人的惡意給他人造成的損失，應當給予賠償。
Where the patent infringement compensation, royalties, and patent right transfer fees are not refunded pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, which constitutes a blatant violation of the principle of fairness, refund shall be made fully or partly.
依照前款規定不返還專利侵權賠償金、專利使用費、專利權轉讓費，明顯違反公平原則的，應當全部或者部分返還。
Chapter VI Compulsory License for Exploitation of a Patent
第六章 專利實施的強制許可
Article 48 Under any of the following circumstances, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon application made by any unit or individual that possesses the conditions for exploitation, grant a compulsory license for exploitation of an invention patent or utility model patent:
第四十八條 有下列情形之一的，國務院專利行政部門根據具備實施條件的單位或者個人的申請，可以給予實施發明專利或者實用新型專利的強制許可：
(1) When it has been three years since the date the patent right is granted and four years since the date the patent application is submitted, the patentee, without legitimate reasons, fails to have the patent exploited or fully exploited; or
（一）專利權人自專利權被授予之日起滿三年，且自提出專利申請之日起滿四年，無正當理由未實施或者未充分實施其專利的；
(2) The patentee's exercise of the patent right is in accordance with law, confirmed as monopoly and its negative impact on competition needs to be eliminated or reduced.
（二）專利權人行使專利權的行為被依法認定為壟斷行為，為消除或者減少該行為對競爭產生的不利影響的。
Article 49 Where a national emergency or any extraordinary state of affairs occurs, or public interests so require, the patent administration department under the State Council may grant a compulsory license for exploitation of an invention patent or utility model patent.
第四十九條 在國家出現緊急狀態或者非常情況時，或者為了公共利益的目的，國務院專利行政部門可以給予實施發明專利或者實用新型專利的強制許可。
Article 50 For the benefit of public health, the patent administration department under the State Council may grant a compulsory license for manufacture of the drug, for which a patent right has been obtained, and for its export to the countries or regions that conform to the provisions of the relevant international treaties to which the People's Republic of China has acceded.
第五十條 為了公共健康目的，對取得專利權的藥品，國務院專利行政部門可以給予制造并將其出口到符合中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約規定的國家或者地區的強制許可。
Article 51 If an invention or utility model, for which the patent right has been obtained, represents a major technological advancement of remarkable economic significance, compared with an earlier invention or utility model for which the patent right has already been obtained, and exploitation of the former relies on exploitation of the latter, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon application made by the latter, grant it a compulsory license to exploit the earlier invention or utility model.
第五十一條 一項取得專利權的發明或者實用新型比前已經取得專利權的發明或者實用新型具有顯著經濟意義的重大技術進步，其實施又有賴于前一發明或者實用新型的實施的，國務院專利行政部門根據后一專利權人的申請，可以給予實施前一發明或者實用新型的強制許可。
Under the circumstance where a compulsory license for exploitation is granted in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the patent administration department under the State Council may, upon application made by the earlier patentee, grant it a compulsory license to exploit the later invention or utility model.
在依照前款規定給予實施強制許可的情形下，國務院專利行政部門根據前一專利權人的申請，也可以給予實施后一發明或者實用新型的強制許可。
Article 52 If an invention involved in a compulsory license is a semi-conductor technology, the exploitation thereof shall be limited to the purpose of public interests and to the circumstances as provided for in Subparagraph (2) of Article 48 of this Law.
第五十二條 強制許可涉及的發明創造為半導體技術的，其實施限于公共利益的目的和本法第四十八條第（二）項規定的情形。
Article 53 Except for the compulsory license granted in accordance with the provisions of Subparagraph (2) of Article 48 or Article 50 of this Law, compulsory license shall mainly be exercised for the supply to the domestic market.
第五十三條 除依照本法第四十八條第（二）項、第五十條規定給予的強制許可外，強制許可的實施應當主要為了供應國內市場。
Article 54 A unit or individual that applies for a compulsory license in accordance with the provisions of Subparagraph (1) of Article 48 or Article 51 of this Law shall provide evidence to show that it or he has, under reasonable terms, requests the patentee's permission for exploitation of the patent, but fails to obtain such permission within a reasonable period of time.
第五十四條 依照本法第四十八條第（一）項、第五十一條規定申請強制許可的單位或者個人應當提供證據，證明其以合理的條件請求專利權人許可其實施專利，但未能在合理的時間內獲得許可。
Article 55 The decision made by the patent administration department under the State Council on granting of a compulsory license for exploitation shall be notified to the patentee in a timely manner and shall be registered and announced.
第五十五條 國務院專利行政部門作出的給予實施強制許可的決定，應當及時通知專利權人，并予以登記和公告。
In a decision on granting of the compulsory license for exploitation shall, according to the reasons justifying the compulsory license, be specified the scope and duration for exploitation. When such reasons cease to exist and are unlikely to recur, the patent administration department under the State Council shall, upon request by the patentee, make a decision to terminate the compulsory license after examination.
給予實施強制許可的決定，應當根據強制許可的理由規定實施的范圍和時間。強制許可的理由消除并不再發生時，國務院專利行政部門應當根據專利權人的請求，經審查后作出終止實施強制許可的決定。
Article 56 Any unit or individual that is granted a compulsory license for exploitation shall not have an exclusive right to exploitation and shall not have the right to allow exploitation by others.
第五十六條 取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人不享有獨占的實施權，并且無權允許他人實施。
Article 57 The unit or individual that is granted a compulsory license for exploitation shall pay reasonable royalties to the patentee, or handle the issue of royalties in accordance with the provisions of the relevant international treaties to which the People's Republic of China has acceded. The amount of royalties to be paid shall be subject to consultation between the two parties. In the event of failure to reach an agreement between the two parties, the patent administration department under the State Council shall make a ruling.
第五十七條 取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人應當付給專利權人合理的使用費，或者依照中華人民共和國參加的有關國際條約的規定處理使用費問題。付給使用費的，其數額由雙方協商；雙方不能達成協議的，由國務院專利行政部門裁決。
Article 58 If a patentee is dissatisfied with the decision made by the patent administration department under the State Council -on granting of the compulsory license for exploitation, or if the patentee, or the unit or individual that has obtained the compulsory license for exploitation is dissatisfied with the ruling made by the patent administration department under the State Council regarding the royalties for the compulsorily licensed exploitation, it or he may take legal action before the people's court within three months from the date of receipt of the notification of the ruling.
第五十八條 專利權人對國務院專利行政部門關于實施強制許可的決定不服的，專利權人和取得實施強制許可的單位或者個人對國務院專利行政部門關于實施強制許可的使用費的裁決不服的，可以自收到通知之日起三個月內向人民法院起訴。
Chapter VII Protection of Patent Rights
第七章 專利權的保護
Article 59 For the patent right of an invention or a utility model, the scope of protection shall be confined to what is claimed, and the written description and the pictures attached may be used to explain what is claimed.
第五十九條 發明或者實用新型專利權的保護范圍以其權利要求的內容為準，說明書及附圖可以用于解釋權利要求的內容。
For the design patent right, the scope of protection shall be confined to the design of the product as shown in the drawings or pictures, and the brief description may be used to explain the said design as shown in the drawings or pictures.
外觀設計專利權的保護范圍以表示在圖片或者照片中的該產品的外觀設計為準，簡要說明可以用于解釋圖片或者照片所表示的該產品的外觀設計。
Article 60 If a dispute arises as a result of exploitation of a patent without permission of the patentee, that is, the patent right of the patentee is infringed, the dispute shall be settled through consultation between the parties. If the parties are not willing to consult or if consultation fails, the patentee or interested party may take legal action before a people's court, and may also request the administration department for patent-related work to handle the dispute. If, when handling the dispute, the said department believes the infringement is established, it may order the infringer to cease the infringement immediately; if the infringer is dissatisfied with the order, he may, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the notification of the order, take legal action before a people's court in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China. If the infringer neither takes legal action at the expiration of the time limit nor ceases the infringement, the said department may file an application with the people's court for compulsory enforcement. The administration department for patent-related work that handles the call shall, upon request of the parties, carry out mediation concerning the amount of compensation for the patent right infringement. If mediation fails, the parties may take legal action before the people's court in accordance with the Civil Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China.
第六十條 未經專利權人許可，實施其專利，即侵犯其專利權，引起糾紛的，由當事人協商解決；不愿協商或者協商不成的，專利權人或者利害關系人可以向人民法院起訴，也可以請求管理專利工作的部門處理。管理專利工作的部門處理時，認定侵權行為成立的，可以責令侵權人立即停止侵權行為，當事人不服的，可以自收到處理通知之日起十五日內依照《中華人民共和國行政訴訟法》向人民法院起訴；侵權人期滿不起訴又不停止侵權行為的，管理專利工作的部門可以申請人民法院強制執行。進行處理的管理專利工作的部門應當事人的請求，可以就侵犯專利權的賠償數額進行調解；調解不成的，當事人可以依照《中華人民共和國民事訴訟法》向人民法院起訴。
Article 61 If a dispute over patent infringement involves an invention patent for the method of manufacturing a new product, the unit or individual manufacturing the same product shall provide evidence to show that the manufacturing method of their own product is different from the patented method.
第六十一條 專利侵權糾紛涉及新產品制造方法的發明專利的，制造同樣產品的單位或者個人應當提供其產品制造方法不同于專利方法的證明。
If a dispute over patent infringement involves a utility model patent or a design patent, the people's court or the administration department for patent-related work may require the patentee or the interested parties to present a patent right assessment report prepared by the patent administration department under the State Council through searching, analyzing, and assessing the relevant utility model or design, which shall serve as evidence for trying or handling the patent infringement dispute.
專利侵權糾紛涉及實用新型專利或者外觀設計專利的，人民法院或者管理專利工作的部門可以要求專利權人或者利害關系人出具由國務院專利行政部門對相關實用新型或者外觀設計進行檢索、分析和評價后作出的專利權評價報告，作為審理、處理專利侵權糾紛的證據。
Article 62 In a patent infringement dispute, if the accused infringer has evidence to prove that the technology or design exploited is an existing technology or design, the exploitation shall not constitute a patent right infringement.
第六十二條 在專利侵權糾紛中，被控侵權人有證據證明其實施的技術或者設計屬于現有技術或者現有設計的，不構成侵犯專利權。
Article 63 A person who counterfeits the patent of another person shall, in addition to bearing civil liabilities in accordance with law, be ordered by the administration department for patent-related work to put it right, and the department shall make the matter known to the public, confiscate his unlawful gains and, in addition, impose on him a fine of not more than four times the unlawful gain; if there are no unlawful gains, a fine of not more than RMB 200,000 may be imposed on him; and if a crime is constituted, criminal responsibility shall be pursued in accordance with law.
第六十三條 假冒專利的，除依法承擔民事責任外，由管理專利工作的部門責令改正并予公告，沒收違法所得，可以并處違法所得四倍以下的罰款；沒有違法所得的，可以處二十萬元以下的罰款；構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任。
Article 64 When the administration department for patent-related work investigates and handles the suspected counterfeiting of a patent, it may, based on evidence obtained, inquire the parties concerned, and investigate the circumstances related to the suspected illegal act; it may conduct on-the-spot inspection of the places where the suspected illegal act is committed; consult and duplicate the relevant contracts, invoices, account books and other related materials; and check the products related to the suspected illegal act and seal or detain the products that are proved to be produced by the counterfeited patent.
第六十四條 管理專利工作的部門根據已經取得的證據，對涉嫌假冒專利行為進行查處時，可以詢問有關當事人，調查與涉嫌違法行為有關的情況；對當事人涉嫌違法行為的場所實施現場檢查；查閱、復制與涉嫌違法行為有關的合同、發票、賬簿以及其他有關資料；檢查與涉嫌違法行為有關的產品，對有證據證明是假冒專利的產品，可以查封或者扣押。
When the administration department for patent-related work performs its duties as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, the parties concerned shall provide assistance and cooperation, instead of refusing to do so or creating obstacles.
管理專利工作的部門依法行使前款規定的職權時，當事人應當予以協助、配合，不得拒絕、阻撓。
Article 65 The amount of compensation for patent right infringement shall be determined according to the patentee's actual losses caused by the infringement. If it is hard to determine the actual losses, the amount of compensation may be determined according to the benefits acquired by the infringer through the infringement. If it is hard to determine the losses of the patentee or the benefits acquired by the infringer, the amount of compensation may be determined according to the reasonably multiplied amount of the royalties of that patent. The amount of compensation shall include the reasonable expenses paid by the patentee for putting an end to the infringement.
第六十五條 侵犯專利權的賠償數額按照權利人因被侵權所受到的實際損失確定；實際損失難以確定的，可以按照侵權人因侵權所獲得的利益確定。權利人的損失或者侵權人獲得的利益難以確定的，參照該專利許可使用費的倍數合理確定。賠償數額還應當包括權利人為制止侵權行為所支付的合理開支。
If the losses of the patentee, benefits of the infringer, or royalties of the patent are all hard to determine, the people's court may, on the basis of the factors such as the type of patent right, nature of the infringement, and seriousness of the case, determine the amount of compensation within the range from 10,000 yuan to 1,000,000 yuan.
權利人的損失、侵權人獲得的利益和專利許可使用費均難以確定的，人民法院可以根據專利權的類型、侵權行為的性質和情節等因素，確定給予一萬元以上一百萬元以下的賠償。
Article 66 If the patentee or interested party has evidence to prove that another person is committing or is about to commit a patent infringement, which, unless being checked in time, may cause irreparable harm to his lawful rights and interests, he may, before taking legal action, file an application to request that the people's court order to have such act ceased.
第六十六條 專利權人或者利害關系人有證據證明他人正在實施或者即將實施侵犯專利權的行為，如不及時制止將會使其合法權益受到難以彌補的損害的，可以在起訴前向人民法院申請采取責令停止有關行為的措施。
When filing such an application, the applicant shall provide guarantee. In the event of failure to provide guarantee, the application shall be rejected.
申請人提出申請時，應當提供擔保；不提供擔保的，駁回申請。
The people's court shall make a ruling within 48 hours from the time of its acceptance of the application. If an extension is needed under special circumstances, a 48-hour extension may be allowed. If a ruling is made to order to have the relevant act ceased, it shall be enforced immediately. The party that is dissatisfied with the ruling may file once for review, and the enforcement shall not be suspended during the period of review.
人民法院應當自接受申請之時起四十八小時內作出裁定；有特殊情況需要延長的，可以延長四十八小時。裁定責令停止有關行為的，應當立即執行。當事人對裁定不服的，可以申請復議一次；復議期間不停止裁定的執行。
If the applicant does not take legal action within 15 days from the date the people's court takes measures to have the relevant act ceased, the people's court shall lift such measures.
申請人自人民法院采取責令停止有關行為的措施之日起十五日內不起訴的，人民法院應當解除該措施。
If the application is wrong, the applicant shall compensate the losses suffered by respondent due to ceasing of the relevant act.
申請有錯誤的，申請人應當賠償被申請人因停止有關行為所遭受的損失。
Article 67 To check a patent infringement, when evidence might be lost or might be hard to acquire thereafter, the patentee or interested party may, before taking legal action, file an application with the people's court for evidence preservation.
第六十七條 為了制止專利侵權行為，在證據可能滅失或者以后難以取得的情況下，專利權人或者利害關系人可以在起訴前向人民法院申請保全證據。
If the people's court takes preservation measures, it may order the applicant to provide guarantee. If the applicant fails to provide guarantee, the application shall be rejected.
人民法院采取保全措施，可以責令申請人提供擔保；申請人不提供擔保的，駁回申請。
The people's court shall make a ruling within 48 hours from the time of its acceptance of the application. If it rules to take preservation measures, such a ruling shall be enforced immediately.
人民法院應當自接受申請之時起四十八小時內作出裁定；裁定采取保全措施的，應當立即執行。
If the applicant does not take legal action within 15 days from the date the people's court takes preservation measures, the people's court shall lift such measures.
申請人自人民法院采取保全措施之日起十五日內不起訴的，人民法院應當解除該措施。
Article 68 The period of limitation for action against patent right infringement shall be two years, commencing from the date when the patentee or interested party knows or should have known of the infringement.
第六十八條 侵犯專利權的訴訟時效為二年，自專利權人或者利害關系人得知或者應當得知侵權行為之日起計算。
If an appropriate royalty is not paid for using an invention during the period from the publication of the invention patent application to the grant of the patent right, the period of limitation for taking legal action by the patentee for requesting payment of royalties shall be two years, commencing from the date when the patentee knows or should have known of the use of that patent by another person. However, the period of limitation for action shall commence from the date when the patent right is granted, if the patentee knows or should have known of the use before the patent right is granted.
發明專利申請公布后至專利權授予前使用該發明未支付適當使用費的，專利權人要求支付使用費的訴訟時效為二年，自專利權人得知或者應當得知他人使用其發明之日起計算，但是，專利權人于專利權授予之日前即已得知或者應當得知的，自專利權授予之日起計算。
Article 69 The following shall not be deemed to be patent right infringement:
第六十九條 有下列情形之一的，不視為侵犯專利權：
(1) After a patented product or a product directly obtained by using the patented method is sold by the patentee or sold by any unit or individual with the permission of the patentee, any other person uses, offers to sell, sells or imports that product;
（一）專利產品或者依照專利方法直接獲得的產品，由專利權人或者經其許可的單位、個人售出后，使用、許諾銷售、銷售、進口該產品的；
(2) Before the date of patent application, any other person has already manufactured identical products, used identical method or has made necessary preparations for the manufacture or use and continues to manufacture the products or use the method within the original scope;
（二）在專利申請日前已經制造相同產品、使用相同方法或者已經作好制造、使用的必要準備，并且僅在原有范圍內繼續制造、使用的；
(3) With respect to any foreign means of transportation that temporarily passes through the territory, territorial waters, or territorial airspace of China, the relevant patent is used in the devices and installations for its own needs, in accordance with the agreement concluded between the country it belong to and China, or in accordance with any international treaty to which both countries have acceded, or on the principle of mutual benefit;
（三）臨時通過中國領陸、領水、領空的外國運輸工具，依照其所屬國同中國簽訂的協議或者共同參加的國際條約，或者依照互惠原則，為運輸工具自身需要而在其裝置和設備中使用有關專利的；
(4) Any person uses the relevant patent specially for the purpose of scientific research and experimentation; and
（四）專為科學研究和實驗而使用有關專利的；
(5) Any person produces, uses, or imports patented drugs or patented medical apparatus and instruments, for the purpose of providing information required for administrative examination and approval, or produces or any other person imports patented drugs or patented medical apparatus and instruments especially for that person.
（五）為提供行政審批所需要的信息，制造、使用、進口專利藥品或者專利醫療器械的，以及專門為其制造、進口專利藥品或者專利醫療器械的。
Article 70 Where any person, for the purpose of production and business operation, uses, offers to sell or sells a patent-infringing product without knowing that such product is produced and sold without permission of the patentee, he shall not be liable for compensation provided that the legitimate source of the product can be proved.
第七十條 為生產經營目的使用、許諾銷售或者銷售不知道是未經專利權人許可而制造并售出的專利侵權產品，能證明該產品合法來源的，不承擔賠償責任。
Article 71 If, in violation of the provisions of Article 20 of this Law, a person files an application for patent in a foreign country, thereby divulging national secrets, the unit where he works or the competent authority at a higher level shall impose on him an administrative sanction. If a crime is constituted, he shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law.
第七十一條 違反本法第二十條規定向外國申請專利，泄露國家秘密的，由所在單位或者上級主管機關給予行政處分；構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任。
Article 72 If a person usurps the right of an inventor or designer to apply for a non-employment invention patent, or usurps any other rights and interests of an inventor or designer specified in this Law, he shall be given an administrative sanction by the unit where he works or the competent authority at a higher level.
第七十二條 侵奪發明人或者設計人的非職務發明創造專利申請權和本法規定的其他權益的，由所在單位或者上級主管機關給予行政處分。
Article 73 The administration department for patent-related work shall not be involved in recommending patented products to the public or engage in any other similar business activities.
第七十三條 管理專利工作的部門不得參與向社會推薦專利產品等經營活動。
If the administration department for patent-related work violates the provisions of the preceding paragraph, its immediate superior or the supervisory authority shall order it to rectify, and confiscate its unlawful gains, if any; if the circumstances are serious, the principal leading person directly in charge and the other persons directly responsible shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law.
管理專利工作的部門違反前款規定的，由其上級機關或者監察機關責令改正，消除影響，有違法收入的予以沒收；情節嚴重的，對直接負責的主管人員和其他直接責任人員依法給予行政處分。
Article 74 Where a staff member of the government department engaged in administration of patent-related work or of a relevant department neglects his duty, abuses his power, or commits irregularities for personal gain, which constitutes a crime, he shall be pursued for criminal responsibility in accordance with law. If the case is not serious enough to constitute a crime, he shall be given an administrative sanction in accordance with law.
第七十四條 從事專利管理工作的國家機關工作人員以及其他有關國家機關工作人員玩忽職守、濫用職權、徇私舞弊，構成犯罪的，依法追究刑事責任；尚不構成犯罪的，依法給予行政處分。
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
第八章 附則
Article 75 To apply for patent at the patent administrative department under the State Council or go through other formalities, fees shall be paid in accordance with relevant regulations.
第七十五條 向國務院專利行政部門申請專利和辦理其他手續，應當按照規定繳納費用。
Article 76 This Law shall go into effect on April 1, 1985.
第七十六條 本法自１９８５年４月１日起施行。