Useful links
Official organisations and associations
Annual reports, statistics
Annual reports of the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)
English translations of CNIPA 's annual reports can be found on this website. In addition to the statistics for applications and grants for invention patents, utility models and designs, the annual reports include statistics on top filers and popular technological fields in China, and information on recent developments within the Chinese Patent Office.
Statistics of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department
Recent figures for standard and short-term patent applications and registrations, as well as for designs and trade marks can be found in this section of the website of the Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department.
Annual reports of the Indian Patent Office
The annual reports of the Indian Patent Office can be found on the "IP India" website. The annual reports contain statistics and further information on patents, designs and trade marks, and highlight trends in certain technical fields.
Annual reports of the Japan Patent Office
English versions of the Japan Patent Office's (JPO) recent annual reports can be found in the section "Reports" on this website. The English versions are an extract of the Japanese information and provide an overview of the JPO's policies and statistical data on patents, utility models, designs and trade marks.
Annual reports of the Korean Patent Office
English versions of the Korean Patent Office's (KIPO) annual reports can be found via this link. In addition to statistical data for patents, utility models, designs and trade marks, the annual report provides an overview on the development of the intellectual property system in Korea in areas like administration, legal framework and IP protection.
Statistics of Malaysia
Statistics on filing and granting in Malaysia are available on the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) website.
Statistics of IP Philippines
IP Philippines statistics from 2005 to date, including summaries of IP enforcement data concerning seizures, area of operations and counterfeit good and pirated items are available on this webpage.
Annual reports of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
This website provides online access to the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore's (IPOS) annual reports.
Annual reports of the Taiwan Patent Office
This link leads to the statistics chapter of the Taiwan Patent Office's (TIPO) annual reports in English. In addition to the figures for applications and grants of invention patents, utility models, designs and trade marks, the annual statistics show the most popular technical fields and the top applicants in Chinese Taipei.
Fee schedules
A brief table which summarises the most important fees is available in the publication "IP Factsheet: Mainland China" on the website of the China IPR SME Helpdesk (http://www.china-iprhelpdesk.eu/content/china-factsheets)
Schedule of fees in Chinese Taipei
The detailed amounts of fees for patents, utility models and designs are included in the "Regulations of Patent Fees", which can be downloaded in PDF format from the Taiwan Patent Office's (TIPO) English website.
Schedule of fees at GCC Patent Office
The schedule of fees is available on the English website of the Patent Office of the Cooperation Coucil for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).
Forms and fees for patent applications in India
A list of the required forms (in PDF format) and fees (in rupees) for patent applications is provided on the Indian Patent Office's "IP India" website. Different fees for natural persons and for legal entities apply.
Schedule of fees in Japan
The schedule of fees is available on the English website of the Japan Patent Office (JPO).
Schedule of fees in Korea
The Korean Patent Office (KIPO) provides a schedule of the current fees for patents, utility models, designs and trade marks on its English website.
Schedule of fees in Macao
The English website of The Macao Economic Services (MES) provides a schedule of the current fees in Macao.
Schedule of fees in Malaysia
The schedule of all fees is available on the English website of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). It includes links to the relevant forms in PDF and Word format.
Schedule of fees in the Philippines
The IP Philippines English website provides schedules of the current fees for patents, utility models, designs, trade marks and technology transfer.
Schedule of fees in Saudi Arabia
You can find an overview on all fees in Article 42 (pages 26f.) of the document Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties , and Industrial Design (Effective from 26 Sep 2004), published on the website of Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP).
Schedule of fees in Singapore
This section of the IPOS website contains a list of the forms (in PDF format) and fees for patent applications.
Laws and regulations
China: China IP Law Database
The EU China IP Law Database is a comprehensive resource of IP laws in both Europe and China. The China section includes English translations of the Chinese Patent Law, its Implementing Regulations and other legal documents in both English and Chinese. The database is hosted by the IP Key project and builds on the “China IP Law Search” which was created under the previous IPR2 project.
Chinese Taipei: IP Court English website
The English website of the Intellectual Property Court offers English translations of legal texts and further information on IP cases.
Chinese Taipei: IP laws and regulations
The Taiwan Patent Office (TIPO) provides original versions and English translations of the Taiwanese patent, utility model and design patent laws, and of the copyright and trade mark laws.
Chinese Taipei: Enforcement Rules of the Taiwan Patent Act
The Taiwan Patent Office (TIPO) provides original versions and English translations of the Enforcement Rules for the Patent Act on its website. The Rules further specify the legal stipulations in the Patent Act.
Chinese Taipei: Laws & Regulations database
This searchable database is hosted by the Taiwanese Ministry of Justice and contains English translations of laws and regulations from different areas.
GCC: The Implementing by laws of The Amended Patent Regulation of GCC
The current version of the Implementing by laws of the Amended Patent Regulation of GCC can be found on the English website of the Patent Office of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC).
Hong Kong: Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS)
The BLIS database is hosted by the Department of Justice of Hong Kong. It provides access to the texts - in Chinese and English - of ordinances and subsidiary legislation in force on or after 30 June 1997 (including both current and previous versions). It also offers a full-text search function in English and Chinese.
Hong Kong: Legal Information Institute
The Hong Kong Legal Information Institute is an online facility which can be searched in both English and Chinese. Developed and maintained by the University of Hong Kong and the Australasian Legal Information Institute, it provides free access to legal texts and other materials relating to Hong Kong.
India: Patents Act
The Indian Patents Act of 1970 and its Amendments of 1999, 2002 and 2005 can be found on the "IP India" website of the Indian Patent Office. The legal texts are available as PDF versions in both English and Hindi.
India: Rules of the Patents Act
The Indian Patents Rules of 2003 and their Amendments of 2005 and 2006 can be found on the "IP India" website of the Indian Patent Office. The legal texts are available as PDF versions in both English and Hindi. The Patent Rules further specify the legal provisions of the Patents Act.
Japan: Translations of Japanese laws and regulations
A collection of Japanese laws including the "Patent Act", "Act on Prohibition of Private Monopolization and Maintenance of Fair Trade", etc. in Japanese original and (unofficial) English translated versions, is provided on the Cabinet Secretariat's website.
Japanese Patent Attorney Act
An English translation of the revised Patent Attorney (benrishi) Act is available on the Japan Patent Office (JPO) website.
Japan: Examination Guidelines for Patents and Utility Models
An English version of the current Examination Guidelines is available on the website of the Japan Patent Office (JPO). The document specifies the requirements for patent applications according to the Japanese law.
Japan: Information on Foreign Industrial Property Systems
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) offers a collection of (unofficial) English translations of intellectual property laws and regulations from a wide range of countries and regions on its website.
Korea: Industrial property acts in English
English translations of the Korean industrial property acts, including the patent, utility model, design and trade mark acts, and the "Unfair Competition Prevention and Trade Secret Protection Act", as provided on the Korean Patent Office's website.
Korea: "Enforcement Decrees" for industrial property acts
The Korean Patent Office (KIPO) publishes English versions of the "Enforcement Decrees" for all industrial property acts on its website. The "Enforcement Decrees" are regulations further specifying provisions of the respective act. On KIPO's website, click on "Reference Material - Industrial Property Acts", then on "Select menu".
Korea: Ministry of Government Legislation's collection of legal texts in English
The English website of the Ministry of Government Legislation offers access to a collection of Korean legal texts in English.
Korea: National Assembly's collection of legal texts in English
Another useful collection of English translations of recently enacted laws in Korea can be found on the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea website (click on "Resources").
Malaysia: Patent Law
The current version of the Malaysian patent law can be found on the English website of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO). In addition to the patent act and its updates, this website also offers English translations of the patent regulations and the trade mark act, design act, geographical indications act, integrated circuit layout design act and copyright act. English translations of the regulations relating to all those laws are also available.
Malaysia: Guidelines for Patent Examination
An English translation of the the current version of the Malaysian Examination Guidelines can be found on the English website of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
Malaysia: Patent & Utility Innovation Administration and Examination Manual
An English translation of the current version of this manual can be found on the English website of the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO).
Macao: Intellectual Property Law
The current version of Macao SAR's patent law (Industrial Property Code Decree-Law Nº 97/99/M of 13 December 1999) can be found on the English website of the Macao Economic Services (MES), which also offers an English translation of the copyright law.
Philippines: IP law, rules and regulations
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines publishes IP laws, rules and regulations in English on its website.
Saudi Arabia: Law of Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs
An English translation of the current version of Law of Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties, and Industrial Designs can be found on the English website of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST).
Singapore: IP laws and regulations
This webpage gives access to the main IP legislation texts in English, such as the Patents Act of 1 December 2008, Patent (Composition of Offences) Regulations, Patents (Patent Agents) Rules 2001 and Patent Rules. You can also find legislation on trade marks, registered designs, plant varieties protection, copyright, geographical indications and layout designs of integrated circuits
Singapore: Collection of legal texts from Singapore
"Singapore Statutes Online" is a legal research tool which offers the public free access to the full texts of Acts of Parliament in force. The texts are in English and updated monthly.
WIPO: Collection of Laws for Electronic Access (CLEA)
The website of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) contains the Collection of Laws for Electronic Access (CLEA), a unique electronic database which provides easy access to intellectual property legislation from a wide range of countries and regions.
Official organisations and associations
Asian Patent Attorneys Association
The Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) is a non-governmental organisation of patent attorneys and currently consists of 17 recognised regional groups, located for example in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Macao, Malaysia and Vietnam.
China: All-China Patent Agents Association
The English website of the All-China Patent Agents Association (ACPAA), a non-profit organisation for Chinese patent attorneys, provides a list of patent agencies authorised to handle foreign cases, the schedule of fees, laws and regulations and other information.
Chinese Taipei: Patent Attorneys Association
The English website of the Taiwan Patent Attorneys Association (TWPAA) which was established in December 2009. Alternatively, information on Taiwanese patent agents can be found on the English website of the regional group of the "Asian Patent Attorneys Association".
Hong Kong Group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association
Information on the activities of the Hong Kong Group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association is available in a dedicated section of the APAA's website.
India: "National Indian IPR Foundation" (NIPO)
This official gateway to intellectual property in India gives access to various initiatives for IP protection and enforcement in India, and to legal services and databases. It also offers links to blogs and newsletters. NIPO maintains a helpdesk which is available via this website.
India: Electronic register of patent agents
The Indian Patent Office offers a searchable register of patent agents on the IPIndia website.
Japan: Patent Attorneys Cooperative Association
The English website of the Patent Attorneys Cooperative Association of Japan features a list of patent attorney offices in Japan.
Japan: Japan Patent Attorneys Association
Information on the activities of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, details on application procedures and Q&A on the practice for Japanese patents, trade marks and design can be found on this English website. A section with links to national and international intellectual property organisations is also included.
Korea: Patent Attorneys Association
The Korean Patent Attorneys Association's website is currently only available in Korean language. Some English information can be found on the website of the Korean regional group of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association.
Malaysia: Patent agents
The website of the Malaysia Patent Office (MyIPO) features a list of all registered patent agents in Malaysia.
Singapore: Register of Patent Agents
All patent attorneys currently registered with the Singapore Patent Office (IPOS) are listed in the Register of Patent Agents on the Singapore Patent Office website.
Other sources
ASEAN: South-East Asia ASEAN IP SME Helpdesk
This project provides free information and services for European businesses, helping them to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights in the ASEAN countries. The website offers country factsheets, FAQ, case studies, a newsletter and other useful information such as e-learning modules. The helpdesk offers online seminars, training events and a free helpline for enquiries.
ASEAN: Intellectual Property Portal
An official portal which provides comprehensive information on intellectual property from the ten ASEAN member states via a single website. The website offers basics on the individual IP systems, collections of legal documents and announcements of IP related activities in the region.
China: China IPR SME Helpdesk
This project provides free information and services for European businesses, helping them to protect and enforce their intellectual property rights in China. The multilingual website offers useful information such as a newsletter, e-learning modules, case studies and FAQ. The helpdesk offers online seminars, various training events and a free helpline for enquiries.
China: China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) website
CNIPA's Chinese website publishes all official information relating to patents, utility models and designs in China.
China: China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) English website
This website gives access to laws, regulations, statistics and other official information from CNIPA in English. Background on the Chinese patent system, news and a free patent database with a machine translation tool are also provided.
China: China Intellectual Property Net (CNIPR)
This English website is maintained by CNIPA 's "Intellectual Property Publishing House" (IPPH) and offers news, statistics and background information on IP in China..
China: "China IP Litigation Analysis" database (CIELA)
A free searchable online database of key information on final IP judgments handed down by China's courts. It includes information on damages, court profiles and statistics on top IP cases, and can be used as an analytical tool.
Chinese Taipei: TIPO's Chinese website
The Taiwan Patent Office's Chinese website publishes official information relating to patents, utility models, designs, trade marks and copyright in Chinese Taipei.
Chinese Taipei: TIPO's English website
This website gives access to laws, regulations, statistics and other official information from the Taiwan Patent Office in English. Background on the patent system, news and a free patent and trade mark search database are also provided.
Chinese Taipei: Taiwan Patent Search (TWPAT)
TWPAT is hosted by the Taiwan Patent Office (TIPO). This free database can be searched for patents, utility models and designs in English. Bibliographic data, English abstracts (for patents) and original documents (PDF) can be accessed. Legal status and citation information are also provided as well as a direct link to the electronic file wrapper.
Hong Kong Intellectual Property Department
The Intellectual Property Department was established on 2 July 1990 and is responsible for the registration of patents, trade marks, designs, copyright and other related matters in Hong Kong. The website contains detailed information on the procedures for all these rights.
Hong Kong IPD’s New Integrated IT System (NIS)
Patents, trade marks and designs from Hong Kong can be searched via an English and a Chinese search interface in this new system, which replaced the previous IPD Online Search System in 2019.
Intellectual Property Database for Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao
This searchable database contains information on patents, copyright, trade marks and registered designs from the Pearl Delta region.
India: Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM)
CIPAM was launched as a separate body under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) with the aim to further increase IPR awareness and commercialization in India. CIPAM website provides the most recent statistics on patents, designs, trade marks and copy rights applications as well as free of charge educational resources and promotional material available for download.
India: Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) website
The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) official website provides information on India’s industrial policies, including India’s National IPR policy. It also offers links to different rules and acts, governmental programmes, official publications and background information on international co-operation activities.
India: Draft Manual of Patent Practice and Procedure
This handbook, which can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Indian Patent Office's website, provides information and details on patent procedures. On top of a brief history of India's patent system, this document gives detailed information, including case studies,on the procedures for filing a national or a PCT patent application in India. Official deadlines for office actions, opposition procedures, and fee information are also included.
India: Indian Patent Advanced Search System (InPASS)
Official InPASS database of the Indian Patent Office offers full text search for Indian patent applications and granted patents with the option to combine the full text search with multiple bibliographic data search criteria.
India: "National Indian IPR Foundation" (NIPO)
This official gateway to intellectual property in India gives access to various initiatives for IP protection and enforcement in India, and to legal services and databases. It also offers links to blogs and newsletters. NIPO maintains a helpdesk which is available via this website.
India: Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks (CGPDTM) website
The official CGPDTM website publishes official information relating to patents, designs, geographical indications and copyrights. The website also gives access to laws, regulations, statistics and other official information. Free of charge public search facilities are also made available here for patents, trade marks and designs.
Japan Patent Office (JPO) Japanese website
The JPO's Japanese website publishes official information relating to patents, utility models, designs and trade marks in Japan.
Japan Patent Office (JPO) English website
The JPO's English website gives an introduction to the JPO, an overview of the procedures, news, statistics and other official information on patents, utility models, designs and trade marks in Japan. The Japan Platform for Patent Information can be accessed from this site.
Japan: Japan Platform for Patent Information (J-PlatPat)
The JPO's Industrial Property Digital Library can be searched for Japanese patents, utility models, designs and trade marks from 1885 on. The English interface gives access to English abstracts, Japanese full documents, a machine translation tool and a brief legal status. On the Japanese interface, further information such as "patent term extensions" and full legal status data can be retrieved. Electronic file inspection is also possible.
Japan: Japanese court cases in English
The website of the Intellectual Property High Court provides a searchable database of court cases in Japan relating to intellectual property. Cases are taken from the Supreme Court, the Tokyo High Court, the Intellectual Property High Court and district courts. The full text of judgments in such court cases is made available in English in HTML format. Searches are possible by court, case number, date of judgment, type of intellectual property right or with keywords in the full text.
Japan: Intellectual Property High Court decisions
The IP High Court deals with appeals and decisions of the Japan Patent Office and with civil cases relating to intellectual property. Its English website provides statistics about the court's decisions from 1997 to date.
Japan: Supreme Court decisions
The website of the Supreme Court, the highest court in Japan, has a decisions database in English.
Korean Patent Office (KIPO) Korean website
KIPO's Korean website publishes official information relating to intellectual property in Korea.
Korean Patent Office (KIPO) English website
KIPO's English website gives an overview of the Korean IP system, news, statistics and other official information on intellectual property in Korea.
Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS)
This source is maintained by the Korea Institute of Patent Information (KIPI) on behalf of the Korean Patent Office. KIPRIS gives free access to patents, utility models, designs and trade marks via an English search mask. Korean Patent Abstracts, full documents, data from register and legal status information can be retrieved using different search interfaces and features such as "cross-lingual retrieval".
Korea: Traditional Knowledge Portal (KTKP)
KIPO’s "Traditional Knowledge Portal" was launched in 2007. This database of Korean and Chinese medicine has an English interface and offers a wide range of scientific articles and patent documents.
Korea: Supreme Court decisions
The Supreme Court's English website offers a list of decisions in English, an overview of the proceedings in patent cases, links to legal sites and government sites and an electronic version of the Constitution.
Singapore: Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
This website publishes all official information relating to intellectual property in Singapore.
Singapore: IP2SG
A one-stop solution for patent searches, online filing and other patent matters in Singapore. It includes "ePatent Search", an online search database where users may conduct searches for applications and patents published in Singapore (if available). Retrieval of specifications and access to bibliographic and register information is possible free-of-charge.