Since the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee central government decided last year to found a specialized court dedicated to dealing with intellectual property cases, many regions are competing to be the first to launch such an operation.

Shanghai filed a formal application with the Supreme Court in November and a group of central government officials are conducting inspections and research on the issue, local media reported.

"Shanghai will continue to spearhead the reforms and opening-up. We'll try to make our city the first in the country to create an IP court," China Intellectual Property News cited Zhao Wen, deputy mayor of the city, as saying.