BOOK REVIEW PATENT LAW IN GREATER CHINA Edited by Stefan Luginbuehl and Peter Ganea ELGAR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW AND PRACTICE Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd ISBN: 978 1 78195 483 6 www.e-elgar.com THE GO-TO BOOK FOR PATENT PRACTITIONERS INVOLVED WITH CLIENT BUSINESS IN CHINA An appreciation by Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers With the People’s Republic of China well on its way to becoming the world’s largest economy, it has become well-nigh imperative for intellectual property lawyers and scholars -- particularly patent practitioners -- to increase and enhance their understanding of intellectual property issues emanating from China. Hitherto, accessing the necessary research and information on this subject has been no easy task, which is why ‘Patent Law in Greater China’ published by Edward Elgar, has emerged as such an important and useful book. Here in a single volume, you have at your fingertips, a wealth of research, analysis and practical down-to-earth advice, not to mention a thorough survey of patent law in ‘Greater China’, which encompasses the PRC (People’s Republic of China), Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. The book contains the specialist insights provided by no less than twenty-five experts in this field (including academics and judges) from a variety of top law firms, government bodies and universities worldwide, including for example, Harvard, Edinburgh and Peking. All contributors have China-related experience. The book therefore puts forward a variety of opinion, as well as information, which is well worth noting. The editors point out that the People’s Republic of China has developed a fully fledged and functioning patent system only within the last thirty years. ‘Even though not all these established practices are in the very interest of users,’ admit the editors, ‘one should not underestimate the positive effects of such enhanced transparency and predictability of administrative and judicial decision making on both Chinese and foreign parties.’ In providing an overview of Chinese patent law and practice, the book introduces the reader to the political and legal background of key patent-related issues. In particular, there are analyses of patent law in three specific areas: employee inventions, biotechnological and pharmaceutical inventions and software inventions. Part C on patent application and procedure -- including applications -- offers much useful practical advice. Also intriguing is the section on utility model and design protection. These issues and literally hundreds of others are covered with thoroughness and outstanding clarity throughout the book, which also functions as a uniquely comprehensive research resource, with its bibliography of books and articles, webpages and periodicals. There are useful tables of cases and of legislation and -- also very handy -- a lengthy list of abbreviations. One cannot help remarking that intellectual property specialists will find this book a revelation. The wide-ranging perspective it provides on Chinese patent law is remarkable and certainly no patent practitioner should be without it. The publication date is cited as 2014.

• published: 23 Oct 2014
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