ACCORDING to WIPO, intellectual property filings worldwide increased significantly in 2010, pointing to continuing innovation driven mainly by the United States and China despite the global economic crisis.

The report highlights the strong rebound in IP filings after a slump in 2009, with a 7.2 per cent growth in patent applications in 2010 – the highest growth rate in five years – compared to a 3.6 per cent decline the previous year.

WIPO Director-General Francis Gurry noted that the increase in IP filings shows that companies across the globe have continued to innovate despite the difficult economic conditions.

“This can help to create new jobs and generate prosperity once macroeconomic stability is restored,” he notes in the report’s foreword.

The total number of patent applications worldwide rose by 7.2 per cent, reaching 1.98 million, while trademark filings rose by 11.8 per cent and reached 3.66 million, both all-time high figures according to WIPO.

The report shows that computer technology, electrical machinery, audio-visual technology and medical technology accounted for the largest shares of patent filings worldwide. However, the importance of different technology fields varied substantially across countries.