The Chinese mainland has led the world in international patent applications via the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for five consecutive years, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) chief. This achievement was announced during the ongoing 2024 International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) World Congress held in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province.
During a video speech, WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted the significance of hosting the congress in China for the first time. Tang noted that when the Chinese mainland joined the PCT in the mid-1990s, the annual number of international patent applications was only about 100. By 2023, this number had surged to approximately 70,000.
AIPPI President Shoichi Okuyama emphasized that the rapid growth in intellectual property applications reflects significant advancements in China's scientific and technological innovation capacity. He also acknowledged China's efforts in formulating and improving intellectual property protection laws and maintaining active international communication and exchanges.
Additionally, the Chinese mainland became the first country globally to have over 4 million valid domestic invention patents. Its applications for international patents via the PCT, design patents in the Hague System, and international trademarks under the Madrid System consistently rank among the top worldwide.
The congress, which ran from October 20 to 22, attracted about 2,300 industry insiders from 92 countries and regions, facilitating in-depth discussions on cutting-edge and hot issues in the field of intellectual property.
Reference(s):
China leads world in PCT patent applications for 5 years: WIPO chief
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