India’s Rising Role in Global Intellectual Property Landscape: WIPI 2024 Report

November 13, 2024

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released its World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2024 report. This report marks important trends in global intellectual property (IP) filings. Notably, India has emerged as a key player in the IP sector, ranking among the top ten countries for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs.

Growth in Patent Applications

India recorded a remarkable 15.7% increase in patent applications in 2023. This marks the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. The country ranks sixth globally with 64,480 applications. Resident filings constitute over half of these submissions, indicating a strong domestic innovation drive. Additionally, the patent office granted 149.4% more patents compared to the previous year, showcasing an evolving IP ecosystem.

Surge in Industrial Design Applications

There has been a notable 36.4% rise in industrial design applications in India. This growth aligns with an increasing focus on product design and manufacturing. The top sectors contributing to this surge include Textiles and Accessories, Tools and Machines, and Health and Cosmetics. Between 2018 and 2023, applications for patents and industrial designs more than doubled.

Trademark Filings on the Rise

India ranks fourth globally in trademark filings, with a 6.1% increase in 2023. Nearly 90% of these filings are by residents. Key sectors driving trademark applications include Health (21.9%), Agriculture (15.3%), and Clothing (12.8%). The country’s trademark office boasts over 3.2 million active registrations, making it the second-largest in the world.

India’s patent-to-GDP ratio has improved, rising from 144 to 381 over the past decade. This growth indicates that IP activity is scaling alongside economic expansion. The increase in IP filings reflects a broader emphasis on innovation and brand protection in the country.

Global Trends in IP Filings

The WIPO report reveals a global increase in IP filings, with a record 3.55 million patent applications submitted worldwide in 2023. This represents a 2.7% rise from 2022. Major contributions came from countries such as China, the United States, Japan, South Korea, and India. This trend puts stress on a shift towards local innovation and strengthening domestic IP frameworks.

India’s advancements in IP can be attributed to various government initiatives aimed at encouraging innovation. These efforts are designed to position India as a global leader in innovation. The steady increase in resident filings marks the effectiveness of these initiatives in promoting a robust IP landscape.

Important Facts for Exams:
WIPO: The World Intellectual Property Organization is a United Nations agency. It promotes the protection of intellectual property worldwide. WIPO facilitates international cooperation on IP issues among member states.
WIPI: The World Intellectual Property Indicators report provides vital information about global IP trends. It presents data on patents trademarks and industrial designs. WIPI serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and researchers.
Patent-to-GDP Ratio: This ratio measures the number of patents relative to a country’s GDP. A higher ratio indicates a stronger innovation environment. India’s ratio increased from 144 to 381 in a decade.

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