A record-high number of 139,228 software copyrights were registered in China in 2012, according to a report released by the National Copyright Administration on Thursday.

Beijing topped all municipalities and provinces with 39,125 registrations, followed by Guangdong and Shanghai.

Software copyright registrations related to cloud computing contributed 1,946 pieces, 118.64 percent more than in 2011.

The increase reflects companies' rising awareness of the need to protect their copyrights, said Yu Cike, director of the copyright department of the administration.