In a bid to offer necessary consultation and special assistance to IPR holders and other parties, an IPR aid center was established on March 27 in Shanghai. Shanghai vice mayor Zhao Wen officiated the inauguration ceremony, during which five local IPR service providers concluded an collaboration agreement with the new center.

Under the Rules (Trial) on IPR Aid in Shanghai which became effective on the same day, the center renders two types of services, consultation and special assistance. Companies and other organizations may apply for special assistance in face of foreign－related or serious IPR dispute. The center may pay service fees for the eligible applicants, usually those with economic hardship and ask for reimbursement later.