International trademark applications on the rise

In 2018, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) received more than 61,000 trademark applications. This is an increase of 6.4% compared to 2017. A report published by WIPO indicates the origin of the applicants, but also the classes concerned by international trademark applications.

The main international trademark applicants

With 8825 applications in 2018, the United States filed the highest number of trademark applications using the Madrid System. Chinese applicants account for 6900 applications. But Europe is not to be outdone: Germany is the 2nd largest country in terms of the number of trademark applications.^th countries to file international trademarks (7495) and France occupies the 4^th place, with nearly 4500 applications.

WIPO also provides the names of the companies that have registered the most international trademarks. Among the top 10 applicants, six companies are based in Europe. For example, Novartis AG (Switzerland) filed 174 international trademark applications, closely followed by L'Oréal (France) with 169 applications. Apple is the only US company to make the top four: it occupies the 4^th place with 87 applications. The Japanese company Nintendo, 8^th an international trademark applicant, appears to have reviewed its intellectual property strategy. In 2017, it had made only 17 applications, compared to 75 in 2018.

The content of international brands

WIPO also provides figures on classes covered by international trademarks Class 9 is the most often targeted. This is not surprising since this class includes a wide variety of products: computer and electronic products (computers, smartphones, software), but also glasses, and scientific apparatus.

In 2^th, 3^th and 4^th places, we find services (business services, technology services, training and entertainment services). These services are covered in classes 35, 42 and 41 respectively. Finally, the 5^th class most affected (in 4.3% of the applications) was class 25 which covers clothing. In 2017, pharmaceuticals occupied this place.

International brands: a fast-growing field

WIPO figures show this: international brands are on the rise. This is due to the simplicity of the Madrid system.. Indeed, it makes it possible to obtain almost worldwide protection, after having filed a single application with WIPO. To date, it is possible to designate 120 countries in an international trademark application. For countries that are not members of the Madrid Union, it is necessary to file national applications in each country concerned. In 2019 Canada to join the Union of Madrid and may in turn be covered by international trademark applications.

Obviously, this system has a cost. Each country designation entails the payment of an additional fee. Moreover, the amount of the fees is not unified. It costs much less to target China than to designate the United States. Moreover, it is not possible to file an international trademark alone: a national trademark must be filed, which will serve as the basis for the international application.

If you wish to register an international trademark, do not hesitate to contact our team, who will be able to give you more information..