In 2011, Shanxi Province added 2 patent agencies and 6 patent agents, which hardly made ends meet when especially compared with the 60% growth in patent applications. On an IP conference held on April 26, 2011, Director of Shanxi Provincial IPO Yan Yi called on the ables and encouraged college students to join the prospering industry.

As of the end of 2011, there were 8 patent agencies and 41 practitioners with national patent agent certification.

The 41 patent agents fulfilled more than 5,000 patent applications, with each person mastering over 100. Judging from these numbers, it is a high-income occupation as an agent can earn 800 to 2,000 yuan for each case.

Actually, Shanxi is in lack of patent agents. In 2011, patent applications reached 12,774, up 61.1% on 2010. The increase of IP talents could not meet the needs of patent development. 

The rapid increase of patent applications caught the attention of patent agencies in other provinces. Yan Yi said many outside agencies took interest in Shanxi market and intended to explore it.The above situation urged Yan Yi and his team to conduct patent agents cultivation. He repeatedly encouraged college students to undertake patent career.Insiders said the work of a patent agent is challenging. The practitioner should be expert at both arts and science.

Apart from high income and free working time, "The most important is practitioner could reach out to the latest developments in science and technology and always keep broad vision and clear mind," said Yan Yi.

(Source: IPR in China)