For the first time open to Taiwan applicants, 234 of the island's residents have signed up to take the mainland patent exam on Nov 5 to 6.

Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province on the Taiwan Straits, is the only site open to Taiwan test takers.

After passing the exam and securing a patent agent qualification certificate, Taiwan participants will then need a one-year internship at a patent agency on the mainland before becoming eligible for a license to practice.

(Source: China Daily)