WIPO 2023 International Intellectual Property Filings Analysis and Trends

Recently, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) released data reports related to international intellectual property applications in 2023. The data shows that against the backdrop of rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, the number of applications submitted through the PCT system declined for the first time in 14 years, down 1.8%; applications to the Madrid international trademark system decreased by 7%; while applications to the Hague international design system grew by 1% against the trend.

Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. of China, Samsung Electronics of South Korea, and Qualcomm Inc. of the United States were the global leading institutions in WIPO’s international patent system in 2023, while patent applications from Indian innovators grew by nearly 50%.

PCT International Patent System

In 2023, China became the largest source country for PCT applications with 69,610, followed by the United States with 55,678, Japan with 48,879, South Korea with 22,288, and Germany with 16,916 applications.

Among the top five countries, only South Korea saw a 1.2% increase in applications, while the others all declined. China experienced a slight 0.6% decrease compared to the previous year, marking the first year-on-year decline since 2002, while the U.S. saw a 5.3% drop.

Fastest-Growing Country for Applications: India
In 2023, among the top 15 ranked countries, India achieved the fastest growth rate of 44.6%, benefiting from the strengthening and expansion of its innovation ecosystem.

Company with the Most Applications: China’s Huawei
In 2023, Huawei announced 6,494 PCT applications, ranking first among companies with the most applications. Second was Samsung Electronics of South Korea with 3,924 applications, followed by Qualcomm Inc. of the U.S. with 3,410, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. of Japan with 2,152, and BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. of China with 1,988 applications.

Educational Institution with the Most Applications: University of California, USA
In the education sector, the University of California maintained its top spot with 531 applications, followed by Soochow University with 332 applications in second place. Next were the University of Texas System with 217 applications, Tsinghua University with 209 applications, and Stanford University with 180 applications.

Field with the Highest Share of Applications: Computer Technology
In 2023, computer technology accounted for the highest share at 10.2%, followed by digital communication at 9.4%, electrical machinery at 7.9%, medical technology at 6.7%, and pharmaceuticals at 4.7%. Among the top ten technical fields, electrical machinery saw the fastest growth rate, followed by transportation, semiconductors, and biotechnology.

Looking at the above data, 2023 was a year of recovery for many countries and regions around the world. Various factors led to a decline in PCT applications, but in the future, with the expected decline in inflation rates in 2024, coupled with potential increased business confidence and innovation investment in hotspots like India and Southeast Asia, conditions have been created for a recovery in international intellectual property applications.

Madrid International Trademark System

Largest Source Country for Applications: United States
In 2023, the United States submitted 10,987 international trademark applications, ranking first, followed by Germany with 6,613, China with 5,473, France with 4,257, and the United Kingdom with 3,817 applications. Among the top 10 countries, only China and South Korea achieved growth, while the others all declined.

Company with the Most Applications: L’Oréal of France
In 2023, L’Oréal of France filed 199 applications, ranking first for the third consecutive year, followed by BMW Group of Germany with 124 applications, Euro Games Technology Ltd. of Bulgaria with 118 applications, Beiersdorf AG of Germany with 110 applications, and Novartis AG of Switzerland.

Most Designated Classes: Computer Software/Hardware and Other Electrical or Electronic Appliances
In 2023, similar to PCT applications, the category covering computer software/hardware and other electrical and electronic appliances had the highest share at 11%, followed by categories covering business services and technology-related services.

In the era of brand economy, international trademark registration is an important indicator of economic globalization. The Madrid international trademark registration system provides a convenient channel for companies to implement brand internationalization strategies.

Hague International Design System

Largest Source Country for Applications: Germany
In 2023, Germany topped the list with 4,517 design applications, followed closely by China with 3,758, the United States with 2,668, Switzerland with 2,196, and Italy with 1,817 applications. Among the top 10 countries, China achieved a strong 46.9% growth rate.

Company with the Most Applications: Samsung Electronics of South Korea
Samsung Electronics of South Korea topped the list with 544 design applications, followed by Procter & Gamble of the U.S. with 525 applications. LG Electronics of South Korea and Porsche AG of Germany tied for third with 352 design applications each. Closely behind them was Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. of China with 315 design applications.

Field with the Highest Share of Applications: Means of Transport
In 2023, means of transport accounted for the highest share of 11.2% among all design applications, followed by recording and communication equipment at 8.65%, furniture at 7.6%, packaging and containers at 6.9%, and household goods at 5.6%.

For IP professionals, 2023 data reinforces key priorities – closely monitoring emerging technologies and markets, optimizing global IP portfolios, and proactively aligning IP strategies to protect innovations and brands across an increasingly borderless commercial landscape. Despite the short-term decline, the utilization of intellectual property rights is still in a steadily increasing and expanding globally in tandem with the progression of economic globalization and digitalization across nations worldwide. With change being the only constant, strategic intellectual property rights will remain critical sustaining competitive advantages.

source: https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2024/article_0002.html