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WIPO report shows rise in global filing

WIPO report shows rise in global filing

Global patent filing is continuing to rise, according to latest findings from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). Based on 2006 figures, its new World Patent Report shows a marked growth in filings through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), with the emerging economies of India, Turkey, China and Mexico putting in impressive showings. WIPO is keen to point to these results as evidence of a more internationalised patent landscape, as non-resident applications accounted for the largest shares of these countries' filings.

WIPO estimates that the total number of applications filed across the world in 2006 was 1.76 million – a 4.9% increase from the previous year – with the number of international filings carried out through the PCT topping out at 158,400. Between 2005 and 2006, the number of global filings by applicants based in China, the Republic of Korea and the US increased by 32.1%, 6.6% and 6.7% respectively. Patent grants, meanwhile, reached an approximate 727,000.

One significant trend from a policymaking perspective is the growing number of applications relating to clean energy technologies. Japan provided numerous examples of filings related to solar energy and fuel cells, while it shared wind power patent applications with Germany. Just on the basis of those findings, it can be argued that Japan and Germany are emerging as world leaders in the development of sustainable energy products.

In a WIPO statement, deputy director general, Francis Gurry, was keen to make the policy link. 'Understanding the evolution and use of the patent system is critical to understanding policy debates,' he said, 'including the role of intellectual property in economic growth and development, [plus] the relationship between IP policy and key public policy concerns, such as health and the environment.'

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