China became top patent filer via PCT system and WIPO

China became top patent filer via PCT system

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy-Labour

For the year 2019, China has become the world leader in international patent filings via WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) with a total of 58,990 applications surpassing the United States (US), which was at top spot since the PCT began operations in 1978.

• In 2019, Asian-based applicants accounted for 52.4% of all filings while Europe accounted 23.2% followed by North America (22.8%).
• It should be noted that for the third consecutive year, Chinese telecoms giant Huawei topped the global ranking in 2019 with 4,411 PCT applications. It was followed by Mitsubishi of Japan, which made 2,661 filings, Samsung of South Korea with 2,334 filings and Qualcomm of the US with 2,127 filings.

The system of registering international patents involves three main categories viz. International patent system (Patent Cooperation Treaty – PCT), International trademark system (Madrid System), and International design system (Hague System). Following tables shows the ranking among these 3 systems:

Key Points:

-International patent applications filed via the PCT grew by 5.2% (265,800 applications) in 2019, while international trademark applications via the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks increased by 5.7% (64,400 applications). Protection for industrial designs via the Hague System for the International Registration of Industrial Designs saw a 10.4% growth (21,807 designs).

-In 1999, WIPO received 276 applications from China. By 2019, that number rose to 58,990, a 200-fold increase in 20 years.

WIPO (PT PICKSUP)

The World Intellectual Property Organisation or WIPO is a UN specialised agency created in 1967 to promote intellectual property (IP) protection and encourage creative activity all over the world. WIPO is basically a global forum for IP policy, services, information and cooperation.

What is WIPO?

• The World Intellectual Property Organisation or WIPO is a global body for the promotion and protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR).
• It acts as a global forum for IP Services.
• WIPO is a self-funded agency of the United Nations.
• With 192 members, WIPO’s motto is to encourage creative activity, to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.
• It is at present headed by Francis Gurry, who is its Director-General. WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• WIPO has its origins in the United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIRPI) which was established in 1893.

WIPO’s Mandate

‘WIPO is dedicated to developing a balanced and accessible international Intellectual Property (IP) system, which rewards creativity, stimulates innovation and contributes to economic development while safeguarding the public interest.’

Functions of WIPO

The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) was established with the intent to perform the following functions:

• To assist the development of campaigns that improve IP Protection all over the globe and keep the national legislations in harmony.
• Signing international agreements related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection.
• To implement administrative functions discussed by the Berne and Paris Unions.
• To render legal and technical assistance in the field of IP.
• To conduct research and publish its results as well as to collect and circulate information.
• To ensure the work of services that facilitates the International Intellectual Property Protection.
• To implement other appropriate and necessary actions.

WIPO Treaties

WIPO Treaties India is a part of are :

• IPO Convention (1975)
• Paris Convention (1998)
• Berne Convention (1928)
• Patent Cooperation Treaty (1998)
• Phonograms Convention (1975)
• Nairobi Treaty (1983)

India acceded to all of the above treaties. India was the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty.

WIPO Publications

• The Global Innovation Index (GII) is a global ranking for countries for success in and capacity for innovation.
  • It is published by the WIPO in association with Cornell University and graduate business school INSEAD.
  • The index ranks countries based on 80 indicators, ranging from intellectual property filing rates to Research and Development, online creativity, mobile application creation, computer software spending, education spending, scientific & technical publications and ease of starting a business.

World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO):-

The World Intellectual Property Organisation or WIPO is a UN specialised agency created in 1967 to promote intellectual property (IP) protection and encourage creative activity all over the world. WIPO is basically a global forum for IP policy, services, information and cooperation.

Is India member of WIPO?

• Yes, India is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
• India joined the organisation in 1975.

What are the 4 types of intellectual property?

The four types of intellectual property include:

• • Trade Secrets
  • Trademarks
  • Copyrights
  • Patents

About WIPO:

A global forum for intellectual property policy, services, information and cooperation is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN).

Member states– 193

Director General– Francis Gurry

Headquarter– Geneva, Switzerland

Jai Hind Jai Bharat