Takeaway: There is high demand for intellectual property protection in China.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) recently released its IP indicators report showing that IP filings around the world continue to grow in a positive direction. The report showed the following growth worldwide:

– In 2017 there were 5.8% more patent applications filed than there were 2016.

– In 2017 there were 30% more trademark applications filed than there were 2016.

– In 2017 there were 0.2% more industrial design applications filed than there were 2016.

– In 2017 there were 11.7% more plant varieties applications filed than there were 2016.

Additionally, the report showed that the Chinese IP office continues to dominate intellectual property filings in the world. China alone received 1.38 million patent applications and 5.7 million trademark applications, whereas the United States only received 643,349 patent applications and 638,847 trademark applications.