A service center has been launched to protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of participants at next month's Shanghai World Expo, said organizers Thursday.

The work station will provide legal advice, take IPR-infringing complaints and mediate disputes, according to Thursday's Expo press conference.

Expo participants and art performers will have to acquire certificates for exhibitions and performances to be protected by Chinese IPR laws, said Lu Guoqiang. an Shanghai IPR official.

Organizers have compiled an IPR guide book for participants, which has three versions including Chinese, English and French.

The city will also set up a hotline for IPR complaints on April 15, according to the press conference.

(Xinhua April 9, 2010)