Worldwide filing of patent applications topped 1.76 million in 2006, representing a 4.9% increase over 2005, according to the 2008 edition of the World Patent Report of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).Between 2005 and 2006, the total number of patent applications filed worldwide by applicants from China, the ROK and the USA increased by 32.1%, 6.6% and 6.7% respectively.

The report is based on 2006 figures. The share of total worldwide patent applications submitted by applicants from the top 10 countries of origin (i.e. the countries in which applicants reside) increased from 82.4% (2000) to 85.2% (2006).  Applicants from Japan (514,047 applications), the USA (390,815 applications), the ROK (172,709 applications), Germany (130,806 applications) and China (128,850 applications) accounted for 76% of the total number of patent applications filed worldwide in 2006.

Significant growth in the number of patent applications filed domestically fuelled China's share of total worldwide patent filings which rose from 1.8% to 7.3% during the period 2000-2006.  Between 2005 and 2006, the total number of patent applications filed worldwide by applicants from China, the ROK and the USA increased by 32.1%, 6.6% and 6.7% respectively.

In terms of offices, in 2006, for the first time since 1963, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) received the largest number of patent applications (425,966), followed by the Japan Patent Office (408,674). The patent offices of China (210,501), the ROK (166,189), and the European Patent Office (135,231) also received a large number of filings.

The bulk - some 73% - of the 727,000 patents granted across the world in 2006 were concentrated in a small number of countries of origin - Japan, the USA, the ROK and Germany. Between 2000 and 2006, the number of patents granted to applicants from China and the ROK grew by an annual average of 26.5% and 23.2% respectively.
 
The Director General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, observed "A major increase in innovative activity in China, the Republic of Korea and the United States has driven the overall growth of patent filings in 2006.  This reflects a consolidation of earlier trends which demonstrate a marked shift in innovation hubs around the world."  He further added "While use of the patent system remains highly concentrated among a group of countries, statistics show an increasing level of patent activity in emerging countries.  This is an encouraging trend," he added.

(www.wipo.int)