BEIJING, Aug. 29 -- Three intellectual property rights (IPR) courts have concluded the proceedings over 33,000 cases in the past three years, according to a report submitted to the top legislature Tuesday.

These cases include more than 8,000 concerning highly technical issues such as patents, new species of plants, layout designs of integrated circuits and computer software, according to the report from the Supreme People's Court.

Chief Justice Zhou Qiang presented the report to the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. Top legislator Zhang Dejiangattended the session.

The three courts were established in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in late 2014 following a resolution from the NPC Standing Committee.

They have handled landmark cases including granting punitive damages to trademark infringements and covering applicants' counsel fees in the compensation.

The courts also employed 61 technology investigators to assist judges in 1,144 cases, said the report.

The report called for an appellate mechanism for IPR cases at the national level and more IPR courts.