Global Patent Filings Reach Record High in 2023

The World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) report, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on November 7, 2024, highlights a record-breaking surge in intellectual property (IP) applications in 2023, with patent filings surpassing 3.5 million. This marks the fourth consecutive year of growth despite global economic challenges.

Key Highlights:

1. Patents:

• Global patent filings reached 3.55 million, a 2.7% increase from 2022.
• China led with 1.64 million applications, followed by the US, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.
• India recorded the fastest growth among the top 20 countries, with a 15.7% increase, driven by its expanding economy.
• Computer technology dominated published patent applications, accounting for 12.4% of the total.

1. Trademarks:

• Approximately 15.23 million trademark classes were filed globally, showing a slight decline of 2%.
• China was the highest contributor with 7.4 million classes, although experiencing a decline, while India and Russia saw increases.
• Asia dominated with 66.7% of global trademark activity, up from 49% in 2013, highlighting a shift in global IP activity towards Asia.

1. Industrial Designs:

• Industrial design filings rose by 2.8% to 1.52 million in 2023.
• China led in design applications, followed by the US, Germany, Italy, and South Korea.
• Asia accounted for 69% of global design filings, reflecting significant regional growth.

1. Plant Varieties:

• Plant variety applications increased by 6.6% to 29,070, marking the eighth consecutive year of growth.
• China filed the majority of these applications, reflecting its ongoing commitment to agricultural innovation.

1. Geographical Indications (GIs):

• Around 58,600 GIs were protected globally, with China leading, followed by Germany, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
• GIs related to wines and spirits accounted for nearly half of the total, underscoring their importance in the IP landscape.

Observations and Trends:

• Asia’s IP dominance is significant, especially with China, Japan, and South Korea leading in patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.
• There’s a notable increase in indigenous IP activity, with most applications coming from within the respective countries rather than from foreign applicants.
• While patent and industrial design filings grew, trademark filings saw a minor decline, with economic challenges impacting IP demand in some regions.

This report underscores the importance of IP in economic growth and innovation, with the shift in IP filings towards Asia highlighting the region’s growing influence in global technology and economic development.