Company: GDHLF
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form Type: 20-F
Source: 0001410578-25-000935
Chunk: 204

Company: GDS Holdings Ltd
Filing Date: 2025-04-28
Form: 20-F
Item: Item 4
Chunk 204
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, the MIIT replaced the Administrative Measures on China Internet Domain Namespromulgated on November 5, 2004 with the Administration Measures of Internet Domain Names, which took effect on November 1, 2017. According to these measures, the MIIT is in charge of the overall administration of domain names in China. The registration of domain names in PRC is on a “first-apply-first-registration” basis. A domain name applicant will become the domain name holder upon the completion of the application procedure.

Table of Contents

On March 12, 1984, the SCNPC promulgated the Patent Law, which was amended in 1992, 2000, 2008 and 2020, respectively. On June 15, 2001, the State Council promulgated the Implementation Regulation for the Patent Law, which was amended on December 28, 2002, January 9, 2010 and December 11, 2023, respectively. According to these laws and regulations, the State Intellectual Property Office is responsible for administering patents in the PRC. The Chinese patent system is premised upon the “first to file” principle, which means that where more than one person files a patent application for the same invention, a patent will be granted to the person who filed the application first. To be patentable, invention or utility models must meet three conditions: novelty, inventiveness and practical applicability. A patent is valid for 20 years in the case of an invention, for ten years in the case of utility models, and for 15 years in the case of designs. A third-party user must obtain consent or a proper license from the patent owner in order to use the patent.

Regulations Related to Employment

On June 29, 2007, the SCNPC, adopted the Labor Contract Law, or the LCL, which became effective as of January 1, 2008 and was amended on December 28, 2012 (effective from July 1, 2013). The LCL requires employers to enter into written contracts with their employees, restricts the use of temporary workers and aims to give employees long-term job security.

Pursuant to the LCL, employment contracts lawfully concluded prior to the implementation of the LCL and continuing as of the date of its implementation will continue to be performed. Where an employment relationship was established prior to the implementation of the LCL but no written employment contract was concluded, a contract must be concluded within one