| Code | IP.TMK.NRCT |
| Indicator Name | Trademark applications, nonresident, by count |
| Short definition | A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights. Non-resident application refers to an application filed with the IP office of or acting on behalf of a state or jurisdiction in which the first-named applicant in the application is not domiciled. Class count is used to render application data for trademark applications across offices comparable, as some offices follow a single-class/single-design filing system while other have a multiple class/design filing system. |
| Long definition | A trademark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trademarks are protected by intellectual property rights. Non-resident application refers to an application filed with the IP office of or acting on behalf of a state or jurisdiction in which the first-named applicant in the application is not domiciled. Class count is used to render application data for trademark applications across offices comparable, as some offices follow a single-class/single-design filing system while other have a multiple class/design filing system. |
| Source | Statistics Database, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), uri: www.wipo.int/ipstats/, note: The International Bureau of WIPO assumes no responsibility with respect to the transformation of these data. |
| Topic | Infrastructure: Technology |
| Dataset | WDI |
| Unit of measure | Number |
| Periodicity | Annual |
| Reference period | 2004-2021 |
| Aggregation method | Sum |
| Statistical concept and methodology | Methodology: Information about the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) data collection can be accessed on the WIPO website: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/ip-statistics/about
Statistical concept(s): Trademark: A sign used to distinguish the goods or services of one undertaking from those of another. A trademark may consist of words and combinations of words (for instance, names or slogans), logos, figures and images, letters, numbers, sounds, or, in rare instances, smells or moving images, or a combination thereof. The procedures for registering trademarks are governed by the legislation and procedures of national and regional IP offices and WIPO. Trademark rights are limited to the jurisdiction of the IP office that registers the trademark. Trademarks can be registered by filing an application at the relevant national or regional office(s), or by filing an international application through the Madrid System.
Non-resident application refers to an application filed with the IP office of or acting on behalf of a state or jurisdiction in which the first-named applicant in the application is not domiciled.
Class count: The number of classes specified in a trademark application or registration. In the international trademark system, and at certain national and regional offices, an applicant can file a trademark application specifying one or more of the 45 goods and services classes of the Nice Classification. Offices use either a multi-class or a single filing system. For example, the offices of Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States of America (US), as well as many European IP offices, have multi-class filing systems. On the other hand, the offices of Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa follow a single-class filing system, requiring a separate application for each class in which an applicant seeks trademark protection. To capture the differences in application and registration numbers across offices, it is useful to compare their respective application and registration class counts. |
| Development relevance | The progress and well-being of humanity depend on our capacity to come up with new ideas and creations. Technological progress requires the development and application of new inventions, while a vibrant culture will constantly seek new ways to express itself.
Intellectual property rights are also vital. Inventors, artists, scientists and businesses put a lot of time, money, energy and thought into developing their innovations and creations. To encourage them to do that, they need the chance to make a fair return on their investment. That means giving them rights to protect their intellectual property. Essentially, intellectual property rights such as copyright, patents and trademarks can be viewed like any other property right. They allow the creators or owners of IP to benefit from their work or from their investment in a creation by giving them control over how their property is used.
IP rights have long been recognized within various legal systems. For example, patents to protect inventions were granted in Venice as far back as the fifteenth century. Modern initiatives to protect IP through international law started with the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886). These days, there are more than 25 international treaties on IP administered by WIPO. IP rights are also safeguarded by Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Creativity and inventiveness are vital. They spur economic growth, create new jobs and industries, and enhance the quality and enjoyment of life. The intellectual property system needs to balance the rights and interests of different groups: of creators and consumers; of businesses and their competitors; of high- and low-income countries. An efficient and fair IP system benefits everyone – including ordinary users and consumers.
Some examples: (a) The multibillion-dollar film, recording, publishing and software industries – which bring pleasure to millions of people worldwide – would not thrive without copyright protection.
(b) The patent system rewards researchers and inventors while also ensuring that they share their knowledge by making patent applications publicly available, which helps stimulate more innovation. (c) Trademark protection discourages counterfeiting, so businesses can compete on a level playing field and users can be confident they are buying the genuine article.
(source: https://doi.org/10.34667/tind.42176) |
| Limitations and exceptions | Data are based on information supplied to World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) by IP offices in annual surveys, supplemented by data in national IP office reports. Data may be missing for some offices or periods. |
| License URL | https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by |
| License Type | CC BY-4.0 |
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