Starting from January 1, 2026, the identity information of all inventors is required when submitting a patent application.

2025-12-18
The National Intellectual Property Administration issued the "Decision of the National Intellectual Property Administration on Amending the Patent Examination Guidelines" on November 13, 2025. According to the latest amendment to the Examination Guidelines, starting from January 1, 2026, when submitting a patent application, the ID numbers of all inventors must be submitted and verified by the agency. This amendment is mainly to ensure the authenticity of the inventor information submitted. 


Attached are the revised contents of the guidelines. 

VII. Amendments to the Provisions on Preliminary Examination and Related Matters 

(1) Purpose of the Amendment 

To further protect the innovation achievements of innovation entities and facilitate applicants, adjustments and improvements have been made to Chapter 1 of Part I of the Guidelines, "Preliminary Examination of Invention Patent Applications", Chapter 1 of Part III, "Preliminary Examination and Administrative Procedures for International Applications Entering the National Phase", and Part V, "Patent Applications and Administrative Procedures". 

(II) Modified Content 

Provisions on the Preliminary Examination of Invention Patent Applications 

(1) Regarding the filling of inventor information in the request and the obligations of the agency 

Section 4.1.2 of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the "Guide" clearly stipulates the following: First, "false inventors shall not be filled in"; second, the examiner "generally" does not review whether the inventors filled in the request comply with this regulation, "except where there is evidence indicating that the inventors filled in the request do not comply with this regulation"; third, the inventor shall be an individual (i.e., a natural person), and "all the identity information of the inventors shall be filled in the request and ensure the authenticity of the information." 

Section 4.1.6 of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the "Guide" clearly stipulates the following: "Patent agencies shall verify the identity information and contact details of the applicant provided in the request form by the patent applicant", and "Where a patent agency or patent agent applies for a patent or requests the invalidation of a patent right in their own name, it shall be handled in accordance with the "Regulations on Patent Agencies". 


[Revised Interpretation] 

The Guidelines add requirements for the authenticity of inventors and their information, as well as the obligation of patent agencies to verify the identity information and contact details. Moreover, they are effectively connected with relevant regulations to standardize the professional conduct of patent agencies and patent agents.
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