Unprecedented Number of Global Patent Applications Filed in 2022

“Record Global Patenting Activity in 2022 Driven by Indian and Chinese Innovators, Despite Economic Uncertainty: WIPO Report”

Global Patent Activity Reaches New Heights in 2022

Global patenting activity reached unprecedented levels in 2022, with a record 3.46 million patent applications filed, marking the third consecutive year of growth. This surge in patent applications was primarily driven by innovators from India and China, according to the annual World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Patent Filings by Country

China, the US, Japan, Republic of Korea, and Germany were the top five countries with the highest numbers of patent filings in 2022. Despite a dip in growth rate, Chinese innovators continued to file nearly half of all global patent applications. Meanwhile, patent applications from India saw a significant increase of 31.6% in 2022, marking an 11-year streak of growth unmatched by any other country among the top 10 filers.

Impact of Economic Uncertainty on Patent Filings

While the global patent landscape has shown resilience amid the pandemic, WIPO Director General Daren Tang warned that geopolitical instability and an uncertain economic outlook could potentially impact the global intellectual property (IP) ecosystem. Despite these challenges, developing countries have shown remarkable growth rates in IP filings, harnessing the innovation and creative potential of their people.

Patent Applications in Different Sectors

In 2021, computer technology emerged as the most frequently featured technology in published patent applications worldwide, accounting for 11.1% of the total. It was followed by electrical machinery, measurement, medical technology, and digital communication. Among the top 15 fields of technology, chemical engineering, computer technology, and IT methods for management witnessed double-digit growth between 2011 and 2021.

Trademark Applications

Approximately 11.8 million trademark applications were filed worldwide in 2022. Despite a 14.5% decrease in the number of classes specified in applications, the long-term trend in trademark filing remains positive. The highest volume of filing activity came from applicants based in China, followed by the US, Türkiye, Germany, and India.

Industrial Design Applications

An estimated 1.1 million industrial design applications were filed worldwide in 2022, marking a 2.1% decrease from the previous year. Applicants residing in China were the most active, followed by those from Türkiye, Germany, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea.

Plant Variety Applications

Approximately 27,260 plant variety applications were filed worldwide in 2022, marking the seventh consecutive year of growth. Applicants from China were the most active, filing 45.3% of the world total. They were followed by applicants from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the US, the UK, and France.

Geographical Indications

As of 2022, there were an estimated 58,400 protected geographical indications (GIs) in existence. China had the most GIs in force within its territory, followed by Hungary, Germany, and the Czech Republic.

About WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a United Nations agency that serves the world’s innovators and creators. WIPO provides services that enable creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs to protect and promote their intellectual property (IP) across borders and acts as a forum for addressing cutting-edge IP issues. Its IP data and information guide decision-makers worldwide, and its impact-driven projects and technical assistance ensure IP benefits everyone, everywhere.

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