Article 1 of the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law of China stipulates that if the applicant or patentee has difficulty in paying the fees specified in these Detailed Rules, he may request the the State Council Patent Administration Department to reduce or postpone the payment according to the regulations. Measures for reducing or postponing payment shall be formulated by the finance department of the State Council in conjunction with the price management department of the State Council and the patent administration department of the State Council.
(1) If the patent applicant is an individual or unit, the prescribed fee may be reduced by 85%; For example, the examination fee for the substance of an invention patent is 25 yuan in full, and only 375 yuan is required after 85% reduction.
(2) If the patent applicants are two or more individuals or units, the prescribed fee may be reduced by 7%.