Legal basis: People's Republic of China (PRC) Patent Law.
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 4 Where an invention-creation applying for a patent involves national security or vital interests and needs to be kept confidential, it shall be handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state.