The State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) is the body that governs China's IP policies. SIPO began as the Chinese Patent Office, founded in 1980. In 1998, during a reform to the governmental bodies, the Chinese Patent Office changed its name to the State Intellectual Property Office, which works directly under the State Council. SIPO's main responsibilities include:

·         Drafting proposals of ,and amendments to patent-related legislations;

·         Receiving and examining patent applications for inventions, utility models and designs, granting patents, dealing with requests for reexamination and invalidation, and receiving and examining applications for registration of layout designs of integrated circuits;

·         Coordinating and harmonizing international affairs in IP field;

·         Administering nation-wide patent affairs; and

·         Instructing local governmental agencies in the administrative enforcement of the patent law.