Pilot Programme Between CNIPA and EPO Extended Until 2031

The pilot programme between the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and the European Patent Office (EPO) allowing Chinese applicants to designate the EPO as their International Searching Authority (ISA) is extended until 2031. Under this pilot programme, Applicants based in P.R China can select the EPO as ISA when filing a PCT application in English. This option available to Applicants dispenses with the need to conduct a European search upon entry into the European phase, which saves time and costs. Indeed, in such a case, no search fee is due when entering the European phase. Additionally, skipping the European phase search makes the procedure shorter of up to 12 months, thus avoiding, in certain cases, a renewal fee due to the EPO.

Read official EPO announcement here