NPC frees up patent law rules

China's top legislature yesterday approved a revision of the Patent Law to allow inventors to apply for foreign patents before getting domestic patents.

The revised law, which takes effect on October 1 next year, was adopted by 154 votes and four abstentions at the closing meeting of the sixth session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The change is aimed at encouraging innovation and improving China's "international competitiveness", Chen Guangjun, a senior official with the NPC's Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, said after the legislative session.

The Patent Law had stipulated that people whose inventions were completed in China must apply for a domestic patent before applying for a foreign one.

The new amendment, however, makes Chinese inventors subject to government scrutiny before applying for overseas patents to ascertain if their innovations should be made a national secret.

Inventions which have not undergone security checks will not be granted Chinese patents, according to the law.

The amendment applies to all inventions completed in China.