China update: Patent law changes become effective June 1, 2021 - patent term extensions and patent linkage systems established

On October 17^th, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China passed the 4^th amendment with revisions to most recent draft for reform of the patent law (see our previous related article). The new patent law will come into effect on June 1, 2021. Confirmation of the long-desired patent term extensions and patent linkage provisions has also been provided. Although details of the changes are not yet fully shaped, it gives certainty for the implementation in 2021 and also fulfills the basic obligations set out in the US-China trade agreement's IP Section. Besides these major developments other provisions have also passed with further amendments.