Exciting new changes continue to happen with the Chinese Patent Office (CNIPA). On November 12, 2019, the CNIPA published a new set of amendments to Part II Chapter 9 of the Patent Examination Guidelines (“Draft”) and requested public comment by December 11, 2019. In summary, the new guidelines clarify how emerging technologies involving artificial intelligence, Internet +, big data and blockchain should be examined. More specifically, the Draft provides examination guidelines for inventions comprising certain abstract features such as algorithms, business methods and rules. Examination Criteria Accordingly to the newly amended guidelines in the Draft, when determining patent eligibility, novelty or inventive step (Articles 25, 2, and 22 respectively),…
