More than 100 people in this eastern metropolis qualified to become patent management engineers in 2010, bringing the total number to 630.

They are mainly responsible for patent retrieval, applications and dispute resolutions, according to local authorities.

The Shanghai intellectual property administration, along with the city's human resources and social security bureau, started the examination in 2006 to include patent management in the professional system.

Four such examinations were held in Shanghai over the past five years.

(Source: China Daily)