China's First Approved Patent Proposal

Recently, a revision proposal presented by China concerning botanical pesticide in the International Patent Classification (IPC) has been approved by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). It is the first time for China, a member state of WIPO to propose a revision proposal with respect to international patent affairs and get approval. It demonstrates that China is transforming from a passive receiver and executor of international regulations of intellectual property to an active participant and policy-maker. Moreover, it shows that China has entered the international intellectual property arena to exert its dynamic influence.

The 15th meeting of the IPC revision working group of WIPO was held in Geneva from May 29 to June 2, 2006. At the meeting, the revision proposal C432 concerning subdivision of botanical pesticide A01N65/00 prepared by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) of the People's Republic of China was approved and became SIPO's first revision proposal approved by WIPO in the field of IPC.

China has distinguishing features in terms of traditional knowledge, wherein the number of patent about botanic pesticide accounts for a large proportion. As of March 31, 2006, the total number of patent document relating to botanic pesticides around the world is 5,112, of which 1,096 are filed in China.