The 12th China Patent Awards now underway highlights industrial design as a separate category this year.

Unlike previous years when design entries competed with invention patents and utility models for 10 gold awards, this year's even offers a separate 10 awards for designs.

During all previous years, just six designs were among the award winners, according to organizers.

By offering separate awards, excellent designs are rewarded to encourage improvement in industrial designs and promote growth in the sector, organizers said.

Jointly organized by the State Intellectual Property Office and the World Intellectual Property Organization, five types of entries are eligible for design awards - home appliances including TVs, refrigerators and air conditioners, digital products like cellphones and computers, vehicles such as cars and ships, household items including kitchenware and fashion products including glasses, watches, jewelry and garments.

China has topped the world in applications for design patents for several years.

(Source: China Daily)