Are there any subject matters or types of inventions that can not be granted a patent?

Yes. (1) scientific discoveries; (2) rules and methods for mental activities; (3) methods for the diagnosis or for the treatment of diseases; (4) animal and plant varieties; and (5) substances obtained by means of nuclear transformation are all areas in which patent rights can not be granted.

For processes used in producing the products referred to in item (4), a patent right may be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Chinese Patent Law.