However, a design that is mainly used as a sign of the pattern, color or the combination of the two in plane printed matter may be granted a patent right in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
According to the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC):
Article 2 Inventions and creations mentioned in this Law refer to inventions, utility models and designs.
Invention refers to a new technical scheme proposed for a product, method or its improvement.
Utility model refers to a new practical technical scheme for the shape, structure or combination of products.
Appearance design refers to a new design with aesthetic feeling and suitable for industrial application based on the shape, pattern or combination of products and the combination of colors, shapes and patterns.
Article 25: No patent right shall be granted to the following:
(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) substances obtained by nuclear transformation;
(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.