Opens in a new tab

China Patent Office Action Response

Received an office action from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA)? We help overseas applicants and IP firms review the objections, prepare arguments and amendments, and file a Chinese response after your approval. We explain the issues and proposed changes in English.

Request a Quote

How We Support Your Response

We respond to examination notices for Chinese invention, utility model and design applications. This includes invention and utility model cases that entered China through the PCT route, with the work tailored to the notice.

  1. Objection Analysis

    We review the examiner’s reasoning and cited references, then explain the issues in English. Depending on the case, these may concern patentability, clarity, support or filing formalities.

  2. Arguments and Amendments

    We develop arguments and amendments using your comments and the original filing. We show the support for each change and explain how it affects the protection sought.

  3. Examiner Communication

    When useful for the case, we speak with the examiner by telephone to clarify issues or discuss the response, then report the key points to you.

  4. Filing and Reporting

    After your approval, we file the Chinese response and amendments, then send you copies of the submitted documents and filing confirmation.

Need to Respond or Transfer a Case?

Send the Chinese application number, known deadline and a short, non-confidential summary. We will explain which documents we need and arrange the next step before you share detailed case materials.
Discuss My Response

How We Prepare and File Your Response

From the first inquiry to the filed response, we explain what we need, what we recommend and what you need to approve.

Discuss an Office Action
  • Share a Brief Overview

    Send the application number, known deadline and a short, non-confidential summary. Let us know whether you are the applicant or an instructing IP firm.

  • Check the Deadline and Collect Documents

    We check the notice and current deadline, identify missing documents and discuss the likely work. We arrange confidential file exchange and check any appointment or handover requirements for incoming cases.

  • Review the Case and Confirm the Plan

    We examine the original filing, current documents, earlier responses and cited references. With your comments, we confirm the response plan, work and fees, checking what is already covered by any existing engagement.

  • Prepare Arguments and Amendments

    We draft the response and any amendments, explaining the reasons for each change. When useful, we discuss specific points with the examiner by telephone.

  • Obtain Approval and File

    You review and approve the response and amendments before we file the final Chinese documents with CNIPA.

  • Report the Filing and Next Steps

    We send filing copies and confirmation, explain the next steps, and report further official notices covered by your engagement.

Response Support for Your China Application

You can instruct us directly or through your existing IP firm. For new instructions, we check the deadline, documents and handover requirements first.

  • Foreign IP Firms and Counsel

    We handle Chinese response preparation and filing under your instructions, with English analysis, proposed amendments and filing copies for your review and client reporting.

    Discuss China Prosecution Support
  • Overseas Businesses and Individual

    We explain the examiner’s concerns in English, discuss your technical input and the protection you want to retain, and send the proposed response for your approval.

    Discuss My Office Action
  • Case Transfers and Standalone

    We review the deadline, available file and appointment requirements before accepting a transfer or standalone response. The quotation reflects the documents and work involved.

    Discuss a Transfer or Standalone Response

Need Help with a Chinese Patent Office Action?

Send the application number, known deadline and a short, non-confidential summary. We will explain the documents needed and how we can assess the work before quoting.

Request a Response QuoteContact Our Patent Team

China Patent Office Action FAQs

Answers to common questions about documents, deadlines, response preparation and fees.

Yes. Applicants and foreign IP firms can contact us about a standalone response or case transfer. We check the deadline, case status and documents, including any appointment or handover requirements, before confirming that we can take the matter on.

Start with the application number, known deadline and a non-confidential summary. For review, we need the notice, original and current application documents, earlier responses and amendments, cited references and relevant comments. For design cases, include the filed views and brief explanation.

We check the notice, official delivery details and case history to confirm the applicable deadline. Tell us promptly if it is close or may have passed so we can assess the position and available next steps.

We check each proposed change against the original filing and the applicable amendment requirements, taking earlier responses and cited references into account. We explain its basis and likely effect on your protection before you decide whether to approve it.

When useful, we speak with the examiner by telephone and report the key points. This depends on the case and the examiner’s availability. Telephone discussions do not replace the formal written response or change its deadline.

Yes. We send the draft response and amendments with English explanations of the issues and proposed changes. We file the Chinese documents only after your approval. Please tell us if another person or firm must also approve them.

For non-PCT Chinese patent applications handled by Tonghui, routine responses and necessary amendments are included in the agreed professional fee. PCT national phase responses, transferred cases and standalone responses are quoted separately according to the work required. Any official fees are listed separately.

You receive the response recommendations, drafts, a summary of any examiner discussion, filing copies and confirmation. We report further notices under your engagement. A rejection decision and any possible reexamination require a separate assessment, with additional work and fees confirmed before proceeding.