The China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has announced that, effective October 1, 2025, electronic patent application documents should be submitted in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. This initiative aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of patent filing, examination, and data management across CNIPA’s digital systems.

Under the new requirement, patent applications filed on or after October 1, 2025, particularly those requesting prioritized examination, accelerated examination, Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) procedures, deferred examination, or centralized examination, must be submitted electronically in XML format. The change applies to invention, utility model, and design patents, including national phase entries of PCT applications and requests for reexamination or invalidation. CNIPA will gradually transition to accepting only XML-formatted electronic filings from 2026 onward.

Applicants who do not comply with the XML submission requirement, or who later provide amended or replacement documents in a non-XML format, will be deemed to have waived eligibility for the above examination options. CNIPA has made available XML data specifications, conversion tools, and user manuals through its Patent E-Filing System to assist applicants and agencies in meeting the new standard.

If you have any inquiries regarding intellectual property protection in Greater China, please contact us at mail@so-ipr.com.