In 2011, Shanxi has made substantial progress in promoting self-owned intellectual property rights, reflecting in the increased quantity and improved quality of IP applications.

In the first three quarters this year, the province received 6,934 patent applications, up 50.7% over 2010. Of all those applications, invention patents reached 2,846, increasing by 63.7%, utility model were 3,261, growing by 42.9%, and designs amounted to 827, soaring by 42.6%.

Three cities including Datong, Changzhi and Shuozhou have already fulfilled the annual patent applications goal in advance.

During this period, the quality of patents has been significantly improved. Enterprises have been playing more and more important roles in improving patent application structures. Meanwhile, scientific and technological achievements as well as intellectual property are becoming the mainstay in adjusting industry structure and transforming economic growth mode.

(Source:IPR in China)