- Demonstrates a consistent double-digit growth rate for five consecutive years.
- China leads the pack with 1.64m patents, followed by the United States, Japan, South Korea and Germany.
India has emerged as a significant player in the global landscape of intellectual property rights (IPR), with a remarkable doubling of patents and industrial design filings between 2018 and 2023 and is ranked sixth globally.
According to the latest report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), India has achieved the distinction in three critical categories of IPR: patents, industrial design applications, and trademark applications. The achievement marks a pivotal moment for the nation, as it enters the top ten for the first time.
The growth trajectory of patent filings in India has been particularly noteworthy, demonstrating a consistent double-digit growth rate for five consecutive years.
Asia dominates
In 2023 alone, India recorded 64,480 patent applications, reflecting a robust increase of 15.7 per cent compared to the previous year. The surge is part of a larger global trend, with over 3.5 million patents filed worldwide, marking the fourth consecutive year of positive growth in global patent activity.
Asia continues to dominate the intellectual property landscape, accounting for an impressive 68.7 per cent of global patent filings in 2023.
China leads the pack with 1.64 million patents, followed by the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and now India. This regional concentration underscores the growing importance of Asia as a hub for innovation and creativity.
Intellectual property rights encompass a wide range of legal protections for creations of the human mind, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, and trade secrets.
These rights are essential for fostering innovation, as they provide creators with the exclusive rights to their inventions and artistic works, thereby incentivizing further development and investment in new ideas.
The WIPO, established in 1967 as a United Nations agency, plays a crucial role in promoting the protection of intellectual property rights globally. Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the organisation advocates for the importance of IPR in driving economic growth and cultural development.