Recently, WIPO issued a press release detailing some figures regarding the Madrid System in 2023, highlighting that the most specified class in international applications received by WIPO covers computer hardware and software and other electrical or electronic apparatus (Class 09), accounting for 11% of the 2023 total. It was followed by the class covering business services (Class 35) (8.8%) and the one relating to scientific and technological services (Class 42) (8.1%).
The total number of international trademark applications filed under WIPO’s Madrid System in 2023 amounted to 64,200, which is 7% fewer than the previous year. US-based applicants (10,987) filed the largest number of international trademark applications, followed by those located in Germany (6,613), China (5,473), France (4,267), and the United Kingdom (3,817).
Among the top 10 countries of origin, only two – China (+7.7%) and the Republic of Korea (+2.9%) – recorded growth from 2022 to 2023. In contrast, Germany (-14%), Australia (-13.9%), Switzerland (-12.4%), and the US (-11.8%) saw double-digit declines. Each of those origins recorded a year-on-year drop in filings for two successive years.
These figures published by WIPO shed light on the global trends and dynamics within the realm of international trademark applications, offering invaluable insights into the preferences and strategies of businesses worldwide. Understanding these trends is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders alike, as they navigate the complexities of the global market and intellectual property landscape. WIPO’s data serves as a compass for informed decision-making, fostering innovation, competition, and economic growth on a global scale.
