How to protect intellectual property rights (IPR) for innovative companies has long been a challenge for the Chinese government as competition for the latest and greatest ideas becomes ever fiercer in the modern marketplace.

Wuxi National Hi-tech District (WND) is also confronting higher demand for IPR protection of its private-owned enterprises.

WND is home to more than 330 high-tech innovative firms which have applied for more than 36,000 licensed patents as of Aug 24.

For the first time, an IPR protection service was embedded into a company, Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment, a manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic equipment in August.

The IPR service allows for a one-stop legal protection platform which is designed to safeguard Lead's legal rights. It will also help Lead build a complete internal control mechanism of IPR protection, and provide legal training to increase its staff's sense of IPR.

As of July 2016, Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment owns 123 national patents.

Wang Yanqing, chairman of Lead, expressed his hope that with the help of the legal outlet, Lead will have a greater advantage in protecting its legal rights, includingthe infringement of trademarks, patents and commercial secrets.

WND has always attached great importance to IPR protection. A legal service center for IPR protection, talent innovation and entrepreneurship has been operating at Wuxi Software Park (iPark) for the past three years.

WND has formed four strategic emerging industries: microelectronics, Internet of Things, new energy and bio-pharmaceuticals, as well as being home to a modern industry system of airline logistics and software outsourcing services. The district is determined to give its businesses an edge when it comes to innovation, through basing legal services inside enterprises themselves.