China published on Saturday a new statute on patents for
defense-related technologies. The move is part of the government's
commitment to step up protection of intellectual property
rights.
The new Statute on Defense Patents was signed by Premier Wen
Jiabao and then-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Jiang
Zemin on September 17.
The new provisions will go into effect on November 1, replacing
the existing Statute on Defense Patents that was enacted on July
30, 1990.
The new statute includes five articles and 36 clauses covering
applications, inspections and approvals of defense patents.
One of most significant differences in the new law is that
special agencies will now be designated to help with applications
for defense-related patents.
(Xinhua News Agency October 10, 2004)