Patent Fee Reduction Methods

Foreword The provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities with separate plans, coastal open cities, special economic zones patent administration (department), State Council ministries and commissions, and directly-affiliated organizations' patent administration agencies, agencies, and patent agencies:
The “Application for Patent Fee Reduction Measures” formulated by our bureau is hereby issued to you. This method has been implemented since October 1, 1992. The "Personal Application for Patent Expense Mitigation Measures" issued by the SIPO on February 4th, 1985 and the "Relevant Personal Patent Fees Mitigation Released on February 25th, 1987, will not be over 50%. The notice was abolished at the same time.
The fee reduction request that has been approved before the implementation of this measure shall continue to be valid. According to the prescribed time limit, the proportion of the fee paid after the implementation of the measure shall be automatically converted according to the new measures, and the applicant or the patentee shall not need to go through the mitigation procedures again.
Notice is hereby given.

Attachment: Application for Patent Fee Reduction Measures

1. If it is indeed difficult to apply for payment of patents, the Patent Office may request the Patent Office to reduce the application fee, the examination fee and maintenance fee for the invention patent application, the review fee, and the annual fee within three years after the approval of the patent. All other patent fees shall be paid as required.

2. The maximum rate of personal request for mitigation does not exceed 75%, and the maximum rate of unit requests for mitigation does not exceed 50%.

3. Requests for the slowing down of patent fees shall be submitted for fee reduction requests. Individuals shall pay 25% of the prescribed fees at the same time. The unit shall also pay 50% of the prescribed fees.

Fourth, at the same time when filing a patent application, it may also request that the aforementioned five types of fees be reduced. After filing a patent application, it can only request the reduction of fees that have not yet expired, other than the application fee, but the request should be filed no later than two months before the expiry of the relevant fee period.

5. Where the personal request is slowed down, the individual's annual income shall be stated in the request for fee reduction. If two or more persons jointly apply for a patent, the annual income of each person shall be clearly stated. If necessary, the Patent Office may request proof of the annual income. Where the unit requests for mitigation, in addition to the reasons for the request for mitigation, it must also be accompanied by the certification of the superior competent department. If the entity fails to comply with the regulations or fails to provide the relevant certification, it shall be deemed as not making a request.

6. The request for fee reduction shall be examined and approved by the Patent Office. If it has not been approved, it shall pay the fees according to the prescribed amount within the time limit specified in the Patent Law and its detailed implementation rules after receiving the notification from the Patent Office.

7. The applicant or the patentee shall make up for all the deferred payment after his invention-creation has obtained economic benefits or other economic income.