India Secures Top-10 Position Globally in Patents, Trademarks, and Industrial Designs

India has reached a significant milestone in intellectual property (IP) rights, now ranking within the top 10 globally for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs, as per the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s 2024 World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI). This achievement underscores India’s advancements in innovation, with sustained growth across various IP categories aligning with government initiatives promoting IP development.

India’s Steady Rise in Patents

India recorded the highest growth rate in patent applications among the top 20 countries, increasing by 15.7% in 2023. With 64,480 applications, India ranks sixth in global patent filings, marking the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth. Notably, resident filings accounted for over half (55.2%) of all submissions, a first for India, highlighting an upswing in domestic innovation. Patent grants also saw an impressive 149.4% increase from the previous year, reflecting India’s evolving IP ecosystem.

Industrial Design Applications on the Rise

India’s industrial design applications rose by 36.4% in 2023, with sectors such as Textiles and Accessories, Tools and Machines, and Health and Cosmetics contributing to nearly half of all filings. This surge aligns with India’s growing emphasis on design innovation and manufacturing, as patent and design filings more than doubled between 2018 and 2023.

Strong Performance in Trademarks

India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings, recording a 6.1% increase in 2023. Nearly 90% of these filings came from residents, with Health, Agriculture, and Clothing sectors leading the way. India’s trademark office now holds over 3.2 million active registrations, the second-highest worldwide, further bolstering its global brand protection efforts.

Global Context and Asian Dominance

The WIPO report revealed that global patent applications reached a record 3.55 million in 2023, up 2.7% from 2022, with Asian countries, particularly China, the US, Japan, South Korea, and India, driving growth. Asia’s share of worldwide patent filings has risen from 58.4% in 2013 to 68.7% in 2023, reinforcing the continent’s central role in global IP innovation.

A Decade of Progress in India’s IP Landscape

India’s commitment to innovation has seen its patent-to-GDP ratio grow from 144 to 381 over the last decade, reflecting IP growth alongside economic expansion. The government’s IP-friendly policies and sustained investments in innovation are gradually positioning India as a leading IP hub on the global stage.

About WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

Established: WIPO was created in 1967 to promote the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide.

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.

Member States: 193 member countries, making it a global platform for IP cooperation.

Mission: To lead the development of a balanced and accessible international IP system that fosters creativity and innovation.

Functions

• • Administers 26 international IP treaties.
  • Provides a forum for IP-related policy discussions.
  • Offers services for filing patents, trademarks, and designs internationally.
  • Helps resolve IP disputes through arbitration and mediation.

Key Services

• • PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty): Simplifies the process of filing patents in multiple countries.
  • Madrid System: Facilitates international registration of trademarks.
  • Hague System: Manages the international registration of industrial designs.

WIPO Publications: Releases reports like the “World Intellectual Property Indicators,” providing insights into global IP trends.

Support for Developing Countries: Provides technical assistance, capacity building, and training to enhance IP systems in developing nations.

Global Impact: WIPO plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of innovators and ensuring that IP contributes to economic growth and development.

Summery of the News

Key Aspect	Details
Why in News	India ranked in the global top 10 for patents, trademarks, and industrial designs according to the WIPO 2024 report. It recorded the fastest patent growth at 15.7%, ranked sixth in patent filings, and fourth in trademark filings.
Patent Applications (2023)	India filed 64,480 patent applications, with 55.2% resident filings (first time achieving this milestone).
Patent Growth	15.7% increase in patent applications, marking the fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth.
Patents Granted (2023)	Increase of 149.4% in patents granted compared to the previous year.
Industrial Design Filings	36.4% rise in industrial design applications; top sectors: Textiles and Accessories, Tools and Machines, Health and Cosmetics.
Trademark Filings	India ranked fourth globally, with a 6.1% increase; nearly 90% filed by residents. Key sectors: Health (21.9%), Agriculture (15.3%), Clothing (12.8%).
Trademarks in Force	Over 3.2 million trademarks registered, second-largest number of active registrations globally.
Patent-to-GDP Ratio	Increased from 144 to 381 over the past decade.
Global Context	Asia accounted for 68.7% of global patent applications in 2023, with notable contributions from China, the US, Japan, South Korea, and India.