On October 21, 2024, EPO President António Campinos and CNIPA Commissioner Shen Changyu met in Chengdu, China, to advance their collaborative initiatives.
The leaders agreed to launch Phase 2 of the PCT ISA pilot project, aimed at making the international patent filing process more accessible. Additionally, they signed the 2025 annual work plan, solidifying future cooperation.
Starting December 1, 2024, users of the CNIPA-EPO PCT pilot project can pay international search fees in RMB directly to CNIPA, following an announcement by the European Patent Office (EPO) and China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on October 23.
The CNIPA-EPO PCT pilot project is a collaborative initiative between the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the European Patent Office (EPO) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Launched in 2020, this project allows Chinese applicants to designate the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA), streamlining access to European patent protection for Chinese inventors and businesses.
Under this project, applicants can receive international search reports and written opinions from the EPO, which provides high-quality examination services widely recognized for international patent filings. In this context, designating the EPO as ISA offers Chinese applicants certain advantages, such as expedited access to European patents, reduced examination fees (a 75% reduction for requests under PCT Chapter II), and the option to avoid supplementary European searches or translations during the European phase.
With the pilot project’s second phase starting on December 1, 2024, applicants can pay search fees directly in RMB through CNIPA, making the process more accessible and affordable.
The project is limited to 3,000 applications per year, ensuring that a broad base of applicants can benefit from these streamlined services. This initiative strengthens cooperation between CNIPA and the EPO, encouraging innovation and providing smoother access to patent protection in Europe for Chinese applicants.
CNIPA Commissioner Shen Changyu highlighted the pilot’s impact on over 440 innovative entities since its start nearly four years ago, adding that the second phase’s RMB payment option makes it even more convenient for Chinese users to secure patent protection in Europe.
EPO President António Campinos emphasized that the new payment method represents a significant step in EPO-CNIPA cooperation, making it easier and more cost-effective for Chinese applicants to access European technology markets. “In collaboration with CNIPA, we’re committed to supporting Chinese innovators and strengthening ties between our regions,” he said.