On July 25, 2016, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce issued opinions on making trademark registration more convenient, setting out five areas of reform.
First, local authorities would be authorised to receive registration applications, replacing the practice under which only the central Trademark Office accepted them. Applicants could handle matters closer to home and reduce costs. Pilot programmes had already begun in 2016 in Ya’an, Sichuan, and Taizhou, Zhejiang, among other locations.
Second, examination cooperation centres would be established outside Beijing. Previously, the Beijing centre undertook part of the examination work. Additional centres would share that workload and shorten the registration cycle.
Third, online filing would be opened to all applicants. It had previously been available only to trademark agents and only for registration applications. Renewals, assignments, cancellations, changes and other matters would also become available online.
Fourth, the time for issuing a filing receipt would be reduced from approximately six months to within three months. Application documents and procedures would be further simplified.
Fifth, the predominantly paper-based process would be replaced by electronic services covering the entire procedure.
Sources: http://www.ipraction.gov.cn/article/xxgk/mtbd/xwdt/201607/20160700100396.shtml ; http://www.iprchn.com/Index_NewsContent.aspx?newsId=94749