Subject:Intellectual property. Other Related Subject:Science

　　Keywords:Biotechnology; China; Patents

　　Introduction

　　Biotechnology is the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents to provide goods and services.1 A commonly accepted view among many academics and policy makers is that the wave of innovation and investment based on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) will be followed by biotechnology.2 Since as much as 25 per cent of the worlds intellectual property related trade involves biotechnology,3 many counties including China hope to promote the advancement of new medicines, diagnostic equipment and agricultural products through strong intellectual property protection in the biotechnology field. Biotechnology patents not only reward inventors for their inventions through market exclusivity, they can also stimulate research and the flow of scientific and technological knowledge on a global basis. Biotechnology patents further encourage companies to invest in developing new drugs, therapies and equipment.4 China has developed a relatively comprehensive patent system to protect biotechnology in the past 20 years. In the examination practice, there is also a special guideline for biological patents in the Chinese Guideline for Examination.

　　说明：此文发表在《 European Intellectual Property Review 》(E.I.P.R)， 2010, 32(1), 9-19。