Regularized Implementation of the Patent Priority Examination Project for Hong Kong SAR Applicants in Mainland China to Commence in 2026

In order to thoroughly implement the decisions and arrangements of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council regarding the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) launched a pilot project for priority examination of invention patent applications filed by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) applicants in mainland China on January 1, 2023. Eligible invention patent applications submitted by Hong Kong SAR applicants can request priority examination through the Guangzhou and Shenzhen Offices of the CNIPA Patent Office. Over the past three years, nearly 200 invention patent applications from Hong Kong SAR applicants have entered the priority examination channel through this project, significantly shortening the review period for related applications and providing effective support for innovation entities in the SAR to accelerate patent layout and utilization in mainland China.

After evaluation, the pilot project has achieved positive results and successfully met its intended goals. The CNIPA will transition the project to regularized implementation starting from January 1, 2026, to better support Hong Kong SAR residents in protecting their intellectual property rights in mainland China more conveniently and efficiently, thereby promoting innovation and development in the Hong Kong SAR.

Related Link: Pilot Project for Priority Examination of Invention Patent Applications Filed by Hong Kong SAR Applicants in Mainland China to Officially Launch in 2023