China, Japan, Korea: New comparative study on examination practice released

The Chinese Patent Office (SIPO), the Japan Patent Office (JPO) and the Korean Patent Office (KIPO) recently conducted a study on the similarities and differences of their laws and examination guidelines with respect to "novelty", including a comparative case study. The results were published in November 2012.

A similar comparative study on the guidelines and practices in evaluating inventive step was released in 2011. According to the JPO's English website, the three Asian offices are planning to conduct another study on the requirements for the description and claims in 2013.

Further information, including English versions of the studies, can be found on the websites of the JPO and SIPO.