国知局：专利证书进入电子时代
近日，国家知识产权局发布《关于电子专利证书和专利电子申请通知书电子印章相关事项的公告（第349号）》指出，对于授权公告日2020年3月3日（含当日）之后的专利电子申请，国家知识产权局将通过专利电子申请系统颁发电子专利证书，不再颁发纸质专利证书。
对于国家知识产权局已发出且没有签章的电子文件形式的通知书和决定，如有需要，电子申请注册用户可以通过专利电子申请网站提出请求，下载带有电子印章的通知书和决定。
China introduces Electronic Patent Certificates
China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has issued an Announcement on Matters Concerning the Electronic Patent Certificates, Electronic Notices of Application and Electronic Seals. It states that patents granted on or after 3 March 2020 will be issued with an electronic patent certificate. A paper certificate will be issued only at the user’s request, which request must be made online at the time of electronic filing of the patent application
If a notification or decision is issued by the CNIPA without a seal, the applicant may make an electronic request for issue of the notification or decision with an electronic seal.
华为在美国提起专利侵权诉讼
2月6日，华为公司在官网发布声明，称在美国德克萨斯州东区和西区法院对美国通信运营商Verizon提起诉讼，请求法院认定Verizon侵犯了华为在美国授权的12件专利，同时要求Verizon就其专利侵权行为对华为进行赔偿。据媒体报道，华为此次提起诉讼所的这12件专利，涉及计算机网络、下载安全和视频通信等领域。
Verizon并没有采购华为任何设备，因此算不上华为客户，但却通过合作公司间接使用了华为的从网络核心设备、有线基础设施、物联网等众多领域的专利，于是华为以此为理由曾向实际使用者Verizon请求支付专利许可使用费，并曾和Verizon进行专利许可谈判。2019年6月，华为要求Verizon支付 10 亿美元专利许可使用费，这些专利涉及到了Verizon的20多家供应商公司的网络设备、物联网等诸多领域，但双方至今无法就许可条款达成一致。在谈判不能解决问题的情况下，寻求第三方司法机关的裁决是业界惯例。
Huawei Sues Verizon in the US for Patent Infringement
On 6 February, Huawei issued a statement on its official website, stating that it had filed a patent infringement action against major US communications operator Verizon in the Eastern and Western District Courts of Texas, claiming infringement of 12 of its US patents. According to media reports, the 12 patents relate to inventions in various fields, including computer networking, download security and video communication.
Verizon does not purchase any Huawei equipment directly, but Huawei alleges that equipment purchased from other companies makes use of Huawei technology. Huawei sought to negotiate a licence with Verizon, seeking royalties of US$ 1 billion in respect of products from more than 20 supplier companies. It claimed that the products in question infringed various patents relating to network equipment and the Internet of Things i.e. systems of interrelated computing devices with the ability to transfer data without human intervention. The two parties were not able to reach agreement and Huawei decided to sue Verizon for patent infringement.
国知局：支持企业运用知识产权进行质押融资
2月13日，国家知识产权局召开党组会议暨局应对新冠肺炎疫情工作领导小组会议，会议指出，指导和支持企业运用知识产权进行质押融资，缓解资金困难。主要包括以下方面：
一是设立了质押登记的绿色通道。根据有关企业和银行的需求，实现了急收急办、快速处理，力争在1个工作日内完成电子化登记。对于防疫应急物资相关企业等采取即刻办理、立等可取的措施，绝不能让登记程序影响到物资生产企业的贷款投放。
二是组织地方开展质押需求和存量项目的摸排。针对疫情防控相关企业的专利商标质押的需求和存量质押项目企业的还款能力等进行了全面的摸排，做到政策上门和服务上门，用好用足相关的政策工具，积极协调银行给予贷款或续贷。
三是加大政策的集成和工作创新的力度。鼓励有条件的地方集成贷款贴息、风险补偿、保险和补助等各项扶持政策，创新互联网、新媒体等项目对接和政策的宣传，有效发挥知识产权增信增贷的作用，支持企业复工复产。
CNIPA Provides Support in Relation to Intellectual Property Pledge Financing
On 13 February, the National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) convened a meeting to consider what measures it could take to support enterprises suffering financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Various measures were approved, including the provision of guidance and support in relation to the use of intellectual property pledge financing.
The support to be given to enterprises in relation to intellectual property pledge financing focuses on the following three areas.
First, the CNIPA has established a green channel to accelerate pledge registration. The aim is to finalise registrations within one day, with registrations for enterprises producing emergency supplies for epidemic prevention and control being completed instantaneously.
Second, local administrations have been organised to investigate pledge demands and available projects. Particular assistance will be given in relation to pledges based on products or projects for epidemic prevention and control
Third, the CNIPA is encouraging local administrations, where conditions permit, to integrate various support policies such as loan discounts, risk compensation, insurance and subsidies, and ensure that proper account is taken of the role of IPRs in increasing credit and loans to enterprises.
教育部、国知局、科技部：关于提升高等学校专利质量促进转化运用的若干意见
近日，教育部、国知局、科技部发布《关于提升高等学校专利质量促进转化运用的若干意见》（下称《意见》），要求高校以优化专利质量和促进科技成果转移转化为导向，停止对专利申请的资助奖励，大幅减少并逐步取消对专利授权的奖励，可通过提高转化收益比例等“后补助”方式对发明人或团队予以奖励。
《意见》指出，专利申请评估后，对于高校决定不申请专利的职务科技成果，高校要与发明人订立书面合同，依照法定程序转让专利申请权或者专利权，允许发明人自行申请专利，获得授权后专利权归发明人所有，专利费用由发明人承担，专利转化取得的收益，扣除专利申请、运维费用等成本后，发明人根据约定比例向高校交纳收益。
Recent Opinions on Enhancing the Quality of Patents and Promoting the Transfer and Utilization of Patents in Colleges and Universities
Recently, the Ministry of Education, the National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), and the Ministry of Science and Technology issued Several Opinions on Enhancing the Quality of Patents and Promoting the Transfer and Utilization of Patents in Colleges and Universities. With a view to improving patent quality and promoting technology transfer, the Opinions require colleges and universities to cease subsidising patent applications, and significantly reduce and gradually cancel rewards for patent grants. Instead, they may reward inventors or invention teams by increasing their share of transfer incomes and other ‘post- subsidy’ methods.
The Opinions state that where a college or university decides not to file a patent application, it shall sign a contract with the inventor, assigning the right of patent application or patent right according to statutory procedures, and allowing the inventor to file the patent application independently. The agreement will make provision for income sharing. On grant, the patent shall be owned by the inventor, the patent fees shall be borne by the inventor, and, after deduction of patent application fees and other operational costs, income from the patent shall be paid to the colleges and universities according to the agreed proportion