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The International Patent System :

Yearly Developments and Performance in 2010

HIGHLIGHTS

In 2010, the international patent system saw several notable developments.

Recovery of PCT application filings. With an estimated 164,300 PCT applications filed in 2010, the total volume increased by 5.7% compared to 2009. The strongest growth originated from China (+55.6%) which overtook the Republic of Korea as the fourth-ranked PCT filing country. India (+36.6%), the Republic of Korea (+20.3%) and Japan (+8.0%) also experienced significant growth, offsetting a mixed performance in European countries and a continued decline in the United States of America (US) (-1.6%) which, despite this decrease, remains the largest user of the PCT system.

Changing geography of PCT filings. Asia became the biggest PCT filing region, overtaking Europe.1 Most of the filings originated from East Asia. With an annual growth of 18.4%, this subregion alone filed more PCT applications than any other subregion, followed by North America and Western Europe. These three subregions together accounted for 83.4% of all PCT applications filed.

Top PCT applicants. Panasonic Corporation (Japan) maintained its top position in the list of PCT applications published, followed by the telecommunications company ZTE Corporation (China) and Qualcomm Incorporated (US). Among universities, the top four university PCT applicants are located in the US, namely the University of California, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Texas and the University of Florida.
Fields of technology. Digital Communication saw the fastest growth (17.3%) and accounts for the largest share of total PCT applications published (up from the third largest share in 2009). Almost every other field of technology experienced declines or only modest growth. The sharpest decline was seen in the field of telecommunications.
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INTRODUCTION TO THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY

History

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is an international treaty administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization ( WIPO) which offers patent applicants an advantageous route for seeking patent protection internationally. Since entering into force in 1978, the PCT has served as an alternative to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) - the Paris Convention - for acquiring patent rights in different countries. Starting with only 18 Members, in 2010 there were 142 PCT contracting states.

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