BEIJING - A senior justice said China will further improve its judicial system regarding trials of cases involving intellectual property rights (IPRs).

Tao Kaiyuan, vice president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), said at a press conference held Thursday that such measures will help solve the problems constraining the country's scientific and technological innovation.

Tao said the number of IPR-related civil cases Chinese courts received last year increased by 47.24 percent from the previous year.

According to Song Xiaoming, head of the SPC's IPR tribunal, last year saw more IPR cases involving advanced and sophisticated technology, protection of well-known trademarks, online copyright disputes, and IPR-related market order.

New types of IPR disputes involving the entertainment industry are also on the rise, Song said.

Tao said that courts nationwide further improved their investigation, dispute settlement, and supervision procedures in IPR-related proceedings and enhanced judicial authority.

The SPC will strengthen its guidance for the country's IPR courts and judicial institutions, according to the vice president.