The next lap [By Jiao Haiyang]

China now leads the world in both patent applications and trademark registrations, replacing the U.S., according to latest figures from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). According to figures recently released, China registered 526,412 patent applications compared to 503,582 for the U.S. and 342,610 for Japan.

Notwithstanding the economic downturn, there were a record number of both patent applications and trademark registrations worldwide, with China leading the way. This included 4.2 million registered trademarks worldwide with China's share at 31.2 percent. A recent Thomson Reuters study also notes that trademark registration in China has increased 450 percent since 2000. China also increased its scientific research literature output by 80 percent over that time period and now ranks second to the U.S. in the number of published scientific papers.

These developments reflect the growing economic power of China and the fact that Chinese innovators are increasingly taking legal measures to protect their intellectual property rights.

In terms of green technology, Japan accounted for the largest number of solar energy and fuel cell technology patents, with Germany and the U.S. residents filing the most geothermal and wind energy patents.

While the number of patent applications and trademark registrations filed are key factors in innovation, these lead indicators must also be viewed within the context of the overall innovation system in a particular country where in China's case the situation is less clear.

An innovation system represents the process, information, legal, business development and investment flows between individuals, organizations and institutions that progress an innovative idea through to the development of a product or service in a market. Also, comparisons across countries and the number of patents filed do not necessarily reflect on the quality of those patents or general enforceability of intellectual property rights within a particular legal system.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/eugeneclark.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.

Related

• China's defense-related patent applications increasing
• China's international patent filings up 56.2%
• Patent Law of the People's Republic of China

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