WIPO Reveals International Patent Filings Exceeded 110,000 In 2003

by Ulrika Lomas, for LawAndTax-News.com, Brussels

25 February 2004

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) announced on Monday that the number of international patent applications filed in 2003 using the WIPO Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) exceeded 110,000 for the third consecutive year.

According to figures released by the Organisation, inventors and industry from the United States of America (35.7% of all applications in 2003), Japan (15.2%), Germany (12.7%), United Kingdom (5.5%), France (4.3%) topped the list of biggest users of the system, and for the first time in 13 years, Japan ranked second over Germany, with use of the PCT in Japan growing by a record 24% in 2003. The Republic of Korea (15.5% growth), and the Netherlands (4% growth) also showed a significant increase in filings.

International patent applications received from developing countries in 2003 saw an 11% increase. The list was topped by Republic of Korea with 2,947 applications, followed by China (1.205), India (611), South Africa (376), Singapore (313), Brazil (221) and Mexico (123). India saw a double-digit increase in its use of the PCT, experiencing a 27.3% increase.

Speaking with regard to the results, Francis Gurry, WIPO Deputy Director General with responsibility for the PCT, observed that:

"The PCT is an effective business solution for companies and inventors to seek patent protection in a large number of countries. On top of its enormous advantages in facilitating the process of obtaining patent protection in multiple countries, the PCT is a huge bank of valuable technical information that is extremely useful in mapping technological trends."

He added:

"Such information is a key resource for analysts in their search for commercial investment opportunities and is also invaluable in enabling technology transfer to promote economic development"

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