Japan
outpaces Germany in number of international patent
applications filed for the first half of 2003
The number of Japan’s PCT
applications filed for the first half of the year 2003 has
increased by approximately 30 percent, compared to a year
ago, according to the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO). For the first time, Japan is ranked
No. 2 in PCT applications filed, moving ahead of Germany,
and behind the United States. Japan was ranked No.3 for the
past seven years since 1996.
It is said
in Japan that a government-led national strategy to boost
its economy by expanding and facilitating the intellectual
creation cycle, which is also known as the “Nation Built on
Intellectual Property” policy, seems to be successfully
producing a favorable outcome so far.
According
to the WIPO, 8,345 PCT applications were filed in Japan
during the first six months of this year. The number
is expected to increase approximately up to 18,000 by the
end of 2003. Throughout the year 2002, 13,531 PCT
applications were filed in Japan, and a little more than
15,000 in Germany. The United States has been ranked
No. 1, and files more than 40,000 PCT applications on
average. The detailed figure will be posted as it
becomes available through the WIPO.
