Beijing will launch the first selection of outstanding patents for inventions this month and will offer a total money reward of 5 million yuan to the winners, the city's Intellectual Property Bureau announced on Friday.

Liu Dongwei, vice director of the bureau, said the top winner whose patent contributes greatly to the city can win one-million yuan.

Five first-prize patented inventions will each win 200, 000 yuan, 15 second prize inventions will each be rewarded 100,000 yuan and 50,000 yuan will be given to each of the 30 third prize winners.

Qualified applicants should be patentees that hold Beijing residency and work permits in Beijing or those registered in the city. Other applicants, including organizations and individuals from other cities or countries, can also apply if their inventions make outstanding contributions to the city's public interest. The patented inventions that have already won a national patent prize will not be included in the competition.

The bureau will receive applications for the award from May 12 to June 20 this year. Expert selection process will run from July to September, and the awards are expected to be presented earlier next month.

The award will be held biennially in the future, said Liu Dongwei.

(CRI English May 12, 2008)