New guidelines for blockchain patent applications to come into effect in China

China’s National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) is clarifying the rules for examining patent applications, which will come into effect on Feb. 01, Cointelegraph reported.

Last month, the NIPA announced that it has decided to make amendments to the Patent Examination Guidelines for emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain.

“Patent applications for inventions involving artificial intelligence, "Internet +", big data, and blockchain generally include rules and method features of intellectual activity such as algorithms or business rules and methods. Provisions are made for the special nature of the examination of such applications,” the NIPA said (via online translation).

It further explained the process, taking an instance of a method and device for communication between blockchain nodes. The invention patent application proposes a blockchain node communication method and device that aims to “prevent blockchain business nodes from leaking user privacy data in the alliance chain network.”

“Before a business node in a blockchain establishes a communication connection, it can determine whether to establish a communication connection according to the CA certificate carried in the communication request and a pre-configured CA trust list. This reduces the possibility of business nodes leaking private data and improves the security of data stored in the blockchain,” it added.

The move came after Chinese President Xi Jinping called for the widespread adoption of blockchain technology in the country. Just recently, a state-backed blockchain initiative, called the Blockchain Service Network Alliance (BSN), was announced that aims to develop a national blockchain service infrastructure platform spanning public networks, regions, and institutions.

Also, a law governing cryptographic password management has also come into effect in the country. The law addresses the regulatory and legal challenges related to cryptography – a key component of blockchain technology.

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