从2020年12月1日起，中国申请人以英文提交的国际专利申请将可以选择欧洲专利局（EPO）作为国际检索单位（及国际初步审查单位）。

该试点项目为期两年，且第一年的最高申请总量为2500件，第二年为3000件。

该项目旨在“为优化国际专利策略提供额外的选择，特别是寻求在欧洲保护专利时”。

通过选择EPO作为国际检索单位，中国申请人可节省时间成本和费用成本。

具体而言，“EPO出具的国际检索报告，为申请人判断是否进入欧洲阶段及随后的欧洲各国家阶段提供了坚实的基础...。由于EPO作为国际检索单位进行国际检索，与其进行欧洲检索的质量标准一致，因此在国际阶段由EPO进行检索的申请，在进入欧洲阶段时不需要再进行欧洲补充检索”。

参与上述试点项目，需满足如下条件：

• 申请人必须是中国居民或国民；
• 国际专利申请必须以英文提交；
• 国际专利申请必须以中国国家知识产权局（CNIPA）或世界知识产权组织国际局（IB）作为主管受理局。

关于试点项目的更多信息，请查询EPO网站的常见问题解答以及中国国家知识产权局官方网站的试点项目申请人指南。

The EPO as International Searching Authority (ISA) in the CNIPA-EPO pilot program

As from 01 December 2020, Chinese Applicants will be given the opportunity to select the EPO as ISA (and IPEA) for international patent applications filed in English language.

The CNIPA-EPO pilot program will last two years and will be limited to a total of 2.500 applications in the first 12 months and 3.000 applications in the second 12 months.
The aim of the project is to “offer an additional option to optimise international patent strategy, especially when considering protection in Europe”.

By choosing the EPO as ISA, Chinese applicants will be able to save time and money. More specifically, “the international search report [the EPO] issues will provide a sound basis for taking an informed decision on whether or not to enter the European phase and subsequent national phases […]. Since the EPO performs international searches as ISA to exactly the same high-quality standard as a European search, applications already searched by the EPO during the international phase do not have to undergo a supplementary European search upon entry into the European phase”.

In order to participate in the pilot program, the following requirements must be met:

• The applicant must be a Chinese resident or a national;
• The international patent application must be filed in English;
• The international patent application must be filed with either the CNIPA or the IB acting as receiving Office.

For further information please consult the FAQ session on the EPO website and the Guidance for Applicants on the CNIPA official website.