The Shanghai Intellectual Property Agency, funded by the local government, will begin business, sources said Wednesday.

The opening of the agency is a step Shanghai has taken to improve intellectual property protection for China's foreseeable accession into the World Trade Organization (WTO), said a local official.

According to local sources, the newly-established organization will provide enterprises and research institutes with services related to patent searches, evaluation and application of scientific achievements.

Inventors will get aid from the center in applying for patents or in seeking proper legal protection for their patents. In addition, the center will serve as a bridge between enterprises and patent owners through market means, and help train qualified intellectual protection personnel for businesses and research institutes nationwide.