Reuters reports yesterday that China continued to invest heavily in patents and trademarks during the recent global economic downturn while the rest of the world cut back signifcantly. The data from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) indicates the number of US patent applications for new inventions was flat in 2008 and 2009. European filings were down 7.9%, Japan down 10.8%, Germany, France and the UK were also down.
China's patent applications were UP 18.2% in 2008 and 8.5% in 2009. Chinese trademark applications were UP 20.8% in 2009 as compared to the US down 11.7%, Germany down 7.7%, and Japan down 7.2%.
"China is moving up the value chain rapidly increasing exports based on domestic innovation, so inevitably it is filing an ever growing number of patent applications, " WIPO chief Francis Gurry stated. The activity during the recession suggests a shift in momentum toward developing countries and particularly Asia.
Posted by Bruce Lehr September 16th 2010.
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