Legal basis: Article 9 of the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). After receiving the request submitted in accordance with Article 8 of these Rules, the patent administration department in the State Council considers that the invention or utility model may involve national security or vital interests and needs to be kept confidential, and shall promptly issue a notice of confidentiality review to the applicant; If the applicant fails to receive the notice of confidentiality review within 4 months from the date of submission of his request, he may apply for a patent for invention or utility model abroad, or submit an international patent application to the relevant foreign institutions. Where the patent administration department of the State Council notifies the confidentiality review in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, it shall make a decision on whether confidentiality is necessary in time and notify the applicant. If the applicant has not received the confidentiality decision within 6 months from the date of filing the request, he may apply for a patent for the invention or utility model abroad, or submit an international patent application to the relevant foreign institutions.