The National Intellectual Property Administration announced new rules for patent agents and agencies. They called for patent agencies to conduct self-regulation and sign a pledge to act lawfully and ethically. It also called on local authorities to investigate lawbreaking patent agents and agencies and punish them. NIPA will supervise related illegal cases if needed and make sure they are well dealt with.

The #NIPA said it would collect information about illegal behavior from members of the public, investigate and transfer tipoffs to local bureaus.

By the end of August, NIPA will launch an investigation into agencies that applied for improper patent applications in 2019. It also called for the cooperation of local authorities to investigate the improper validation of IP-related certificates.

NIPA will also guide the industries to self-regulate, record all claims of illegal acts by patent agents from the public, train employees of patent agencies to increase their professional awareness and strengthen regulation of patent agencies and agents, according to the announcement. In April, NIPA initiated a campaign to crack down on improper and illegal patent agents.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Source：https://cn.chinadaily.com.cn/