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ARTICLE · 26 NOVEMBER 2025

Patent rules changed for AI and Bistream

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China updated its Patent Examination Guidelines—effective 1 January 2026—to introduce major revisions, including new rules for AI & Bitstream technologies.

ChinaIntellectual Property
Lin Zhuo
Lin Zhuo
Amanda Zhang
Amanda Zhang
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Further to our previous article on proposed changes for AI and bitstream related inventions, China has now released revisions that materially affect examination practices and legal consequences for such applications.

On 13 November 2025, China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) issued Decision on revising the Patent Examination Guidelines (Order No. 84), revising regulations in several key examination areas. The revisions take effect on 1 January 2026 and include significant updates related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Bitstream technologies, as summarised below.

Inventions involving AI

  1. Clarifications on Article 5: Inventions contrary to public order

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