The reforms
CNIPA's quality reforms — narrower interpretation of utility-model novelty, tighter subsidy rules, and stricter examination of amendments — have started to bite. Grant rates for utility models are down ~14% year on year, and average claim scope on granted invention patents has narrowed.
What foreign filers should change
Front-load specification quality and drop the reflex of amending claims broadly in Chinese national phase. Examiners are pushing back harder on added-matter arguments. Where litigation is a real possibility, invest in a strong Chinese-language originating spec — translation quality is now decisive.
