It is reported that starting from this year, Tianjin Municipal Intellectual Property Office decided to award first patent applications of local enterprises and patent agencies that provide services for these first patent applications for three consecutive years.

This initiative is designed to support more enterprises in using intellectual property system to enhance core competitiveness and to encourage patent agencies to provide consultations and agent services for enterprises.

All enterprises who apply for invention and utility model patents with associated with their main business in 2009 will be rewarded, which was provided in "Notice on Encouraging Enterprises to File First Patents Applications and Patent Agencies to Act for Enterprises in Their First Patent Application" issued by Tianjin IP Office.

The awarding criteria gives cash incentive of 1,000 yuan per time to each enterprise that applies for patent for the first time, and each patent agency who provides service for an enterprise in its first patent application.

                                                                                               Source: IPR in China