Utility models are popular because they can be granted quickly and at relatively low cost. Their application numbers have continued to grow, reaching 585,000 in China in 2011.

In a 2011 public satisfaction survey commissioned by SIPO and conducted by a professional survey organisation, the satisfaction index for utility model examination quality reached 83.3, indicating general public satisfaction.

According to Liu Zhihui, head of the Utility Model Examination Department, the improvement reflected not only greater attention to examiner training but also two other measures.

1. Stronger quality management during examination

Previously, quality inspections mainly examined concluded cases and paid less attention to intermediate steps. However, the quality of notices issued during examination affects examination time, subsequent and external feedback, and public complaints. Since 2011, the department has conducted special quality checks on intermediate notices, helping identify and resolve problems promptly.

2. Closer scrutiny of obvious substantive defects

Preliminary examination covers formalities and obvious substantive defects. In recent years, the department has strengthened the latter. Examiners carefully consider whether an application obviously lacks novelty and whether the claimed scope is clear, improving the stability of granted utility model rights.

In 2012, the department will conduct special quality inspections concerning novelty and the requirements under Article 26(4) of the Patent Law that claims be supported by the description and clearly and concisely define the requested protection. These inspections are intended to strengthen examination of obvious substantive defects, encourage applicants to improve application quality and comprehensively improve the quality of utility model grants.

Source: http://www.sipo.gov.cn/mtjj/2012/201202/t20120228_647356.html

Appendix 1: Global utility model applications

Statistics from 46 national and regional intellectual property offices show that global utility model applications increased by 24% in 2010, driven by growth at SIPO. The global total reached a record 496,000, of which SIPO accounted for 83%.

Other offices received fewer applications. The figures in Germany, the Republic of Korea and Brazil fell by 1.7%, 20.3% and 36% respectively. Source: WIPO, World Intellectual Property Indicators 2011.

Appendix 2: Utility models as a share of invention and utility model applications at SIPO

The figures below compare the cumulative period April 1985–December 2010 with 2010 alone. Each ratio is utility model applications divided by the combined number of invention and utility model applications. The final value is the increase in percentage points.

China: 56.36%; 58.15%; +1.79 percentage points.

Japan: 1.21%; 1.59%; +0.38 percentage points.

Republic of Korea: 2.01%; 3.26%; +1.25 percentage points.

Germany: 1.77%; 2.14%; +0.37 percentage points.

United States: 2.66%; 3.40%; +0.74 percentage points.

Table prepared by DEQI using SIPO’s 2010 annual report.