The amount of money companies are prepared to invest on protecting their intellectual property is a fairly good litmus test for the state of the economy.  There is concern that the current depression in the economy is showing no sign of improving.

In a recent article by the Economist Magazine, the number of patent applications in the world rose from around 800,000 in the early 1980s to 1.8m in 2009, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization. See http://www.economist.com/node/21538768

Could this be an indication of an upturn in the economy, given that companies are more eager to create and exploit intellectual property?  Maybe.  Upon closer inspection, things are not quite as rosy…

When examined closely, the data actually shows a gradual decline in patent filings in all countries except China (and even there, the rate of filings appears to be slowing).  What would be interesting to analyze, and what is missing from the graph is the period of 2009 to present.

We did some digging…

Data from the USPTO shows that total number of patent applications filed has risen steadily from 112,379 in 1980 to 520,277 in 2010.  There does not appear to be a decline in the rate of applications being filed, rather, on average, the rate is increasing from year to year.

Granted, the number of trademark applications filed in the US was on the decline in 2009:  Numerous reports stated that the number of trademark applications was declining, reflecting the downturn in the economy.  However, according to data from the USPTO, the total number of active registrations has been steadily increasing, along with the underlying number of new trademark applications from 2009 to present.

Maybe the times they are a’changing.

 

Do you have a question about Patent or Trademark Applications?  Reach out to The McHattie Law Firm for help.

(Paul Burnett)