Intellectual Property Department - Log of changes made to the Patents Examination Guidelines in 2024

(arranged in reverse chronological order of changes made)

You may download the mark-up versions of the chapters by clicking on the “chapter names” below.

Date of change	Changes
26 January 2024	“Section 1: Novelty” has been revised to reflect a textual revision. “Section 4: Exclusions from Patentability” has been revised to reflect the Registry’s latest practice regarding excluded subject matters. “Section 7: Kinds of Claims” has been revised to clarify the examples of claims which are not dependent claims in substance. “Section 13: Patent Applications” has been revised to clarify the Registry’s practice regarding the examination of entitlement to apply. “Section 15: Substantive Examination of Standard Patent (O) Applications and Short-term Patents” has been revised to: (a) clarify the Registry’s practice on offering opportunities to request a hearing; and (b) reflect various miscellaneous textual revisions.

Date of change

Changes

26 January 2024

“Section 1: Novelty” has been revised to reflect a textual revision.

“Section 4: Exclusions from Patentability” has been revised to reflect the Registry’s latest practice regarding excluded subject matters.

“Section 7: Kinds of Claims” has been revised to clarify the examples of claims which are not dependent claims in substance.

“Section 13: Patent Applications” has been revised to clarify the Registry’s practice regarding the examination of entitlement to apply.

“Section 15: Substantive Examination of Standard Patent (O) Applications and Short-term Patents” has been revised to:
(a) clarify the Registry’s practice on offering opportunities to request a hearing; and
(b) reflect various miscellaneous textual revisions.