In April 2024, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) published a press release detailing the figures for the Madrid System in 2023, revealing interesting data on trends and preferences in the field of international trademark applications. Let’s look at some of them:
Class 9: Mastery of Hardware, Software and Electronics
In 2023, Class 9, which covers computer hardware and software and other electrical or electronic equipment, established itself as the most requested category, accounting for 11% of all international applications received by WIPO. This data highlights the dynamism and importance of the technology sector in the global panorama of intellectual property.
Business and Scientific Services: Still on the rise
Classes 35 and 42, related to services provided to companies and scientific and technological services, respectively, occupied second and third place in terms of volume of applications, with 8.8% and 8.1%, respectively. These figures reflect the growing demand for trademark protection in sectors that drive innovation and economic development.
Overall Decrease in Applications: An Exceptional Year
Despite the strength of classes 9, 35 and 42, the total number of international trademark applications filed in the Madrid System experienced a 7% decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year. This decline, while notable, must be considered in the context of a 2022 that marked an all-time high in applications.
United States Leads, China and Korea Grow
The United States remained the main country of origin for international applications, followed by Germany, China, France and the United Kingdom. Of note are the growth experienced by China (+7.7%) and the Republic of Korea (+2.9%), while countries such as Germany (-14%), Australia (-13.9%) and Switzerland (-12.4%) recorded considerable declines.
Reflections for the Future
The Madrid System figures for 2023 offer valuable insights into global trends in the branding space. The prevalence of class 9 and the growth of classes 35 and 42 reflect the evolution of the economic and technological landscape. The overall decline in applications, while notable, must be viewed in the context of an exceptional year in 2022.
Understanding these trends and the information provided by WIPO is crucial as it serves as a compass for making informed decisions that foster innovation, competition and economic growth on a global scale.
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