legal ground
Article 2 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC)
Invention-creation as mentioned in this Law refers to inventions, utility models and designs.
Article 22
Inventions and utility models granted patent rights should be novel, creative and practical.
Article 25
No patent right shall be granted for the following items:
(1) scientific discoveries;
(2) rules and methods of intellectual activities;
(3) Methods of diagnosis and treatment of diseases;
(4) Species of animals and plants;
(5) Nuclear transformation methods and substances obtained by nuclear transformation methods;
(six) the design of the pattern, color or the combination of the two.
The production method of the products listed in Item (4) of the preceding paragraph may be granted a patent right in accordance with the provisions of this Law.