Revised Guidelines Set to Protect Business Models

2017/04/06

The revised Guidelines for Patent Examination, a new set of rules regulating patent filings in China, will take effect, ushering in expanded intellectual property protection for business models, the internet, e-commerce and big data.
Among the major amendments is one concerning business models. Under the current Patent Law, they are generally excluded from patent claims.
Yet, according to the new guidelines, filings involving both business methods and technical characteristics are now patentable.
A host of innovative business models in such sectors as finance, leasing, auctions, investment, marketing and advertisement are emerging amid the rapid development of internet technologies, offering more user-friendly experiences and increased efficiency in the distribution of social resources.
Another highlight in the guidelines concerns the distinction between computer programs and related inventions. The former are generally considered unpatentable as they are "rules and methods for mental activities", while the latter are eligible for patents.

Source: SIPO