According to WIPO, filing activity was stronger in the first six months of the year (+6.9% compared to the same period in 2007) than in the second half of 2008 (+3.9%) mirroring a slowdown in global economic conditions.

Applicants from Germany topped the list of top filers for the 16th consecutive year, followed by users in France, the United States of America (USA), the European Community (EC), Switzerland, Italy, Benelux, China, Japan and Austria.

China remained the most designated country in international trademark applications followed by the Russian Federation, reflecting sustained interest by foreign companies in trading in those countries.

WIPO Director General, Francis Gurry, said that the continued growth in the use of the international trademark system underlines the pivotal importance of trademarks to business, particularly within challenging economic times.

“Trademarks play a key role in engendering consumer confidence, an important factor for businesses facing the challenges of the current economic slowdown,” he stated.

Trademarks enable companies to build and maintain their reputation in the market place and to add value to their commercial operations. “Even in economically difficult times, businesses continue to recognize that a trademark is a smart investment in a company’s reputation and long-term sustainability,” Gurry added.

The 27 countries of the European Union accounted for over half of the international applications received – some 27,242 – in 2008. This figure includes both the international applications filed through the national trademark offices of the countries concerned and those filed through OHIM which rose to 3,600 international applications representing an increase of 6.8 per cent over 2007.

Since October 2004, applicants from the EC have the option to file their international applications either through their national trademark office or through the EC’s regional trademark office (OHIM) in Alicante.

Users in Germany filed 6,214 international applications representing 14.8% of the total and a growth rate of 2%. Applicants in France accounted for 10% of the total filing 4,218 international applications representing 7.3% increase on figures for 2007.

Businesses in the United States of America filed the third largest number of applications – 3,684 or 8,8% of the total number showing a slight decrease (-1.5%) over 2007. OHIM ranked fourth with 3,600 international applications marking an increase of 6.8% over 2007.

Switzerland moved into 5th position with an 8.6 % growth rate (2,885 international applications), overtaking Italy which fell to 6th position with 2,763 international applications or 3.7% growth.

A number of countries demonstrated significant growth rates in 2008 and improved their rankings. Japan, with 29.9% growth and 1,278 international applications moved up to 9th place from 12th in 2007.

The Russian Federation (+33.9%) ranked 11, up two places from 13th in 2007. Spain retained its 14th place with 14.2 % growth and Turkey its 15th position with a 24.1% rate of growth.

The Czech Republic, with a growth rate of 12% moved up to 16th from 17th place. Poland with a 41.5% rate of growth moved up 5 places to rank 19. Slovenia enjoyed a rate of growth of 62.6 % to move up seven places to 23rd position.

Latvia moved into 31st position with a 48.7% growth rate, followed by Liechtenstein in 32nd position with 14.2% growth; and Singapore in 33rd position with 13.7% growth. Greece saw a growth rate of 46.3% moving up from 39th to 34th; and Lithuania moved into 38th position with a 19.2% growth rate.

Developing countries accounted for 2,133 filings in 2008, representing 5.1% of total filings. The developing country with the highest growth rate in 2008 was Vietnam with a 51.6% growth rate.

The total number of international registrations in force reached 503,650 (this includes the record figure of 40,985 registrations made in 2008, representing a 6.5 per cent increase on 2007). These registrations belong to 166,398 right holders who are mostly small and medium-sized enterprises.

A record 378,894 new designations (made in international registrations or as subsequent designations) of Madrid Union members were notified in 2008, representing a 2.3% increase over 2007.

For the fourth consecutive year, China was the most designated country. With 17,829 designations, it accounted for 4.7% of the total number of new designations and enjoyed a 6.9% increase in such designations over 2007.

The second most designated country was the Russian Federation with 16,768 designations (+8.5%), followed by the USA with 15,715 designations (+7.5%), Switzerland with 14,907 designations (+2.6%), the European Community with 14, 502 (+13.8%) and Japan with 12,748 designations (+3.7%).

The EC continues to be a favorite target market for designations. Having received 14,502 designations in 2008 (+13.8%), the EC confirms its 5th position in the ranking of most designated members of the Madrid Union.

Some of the countries that have moved up in the ranking of most designated countries compared to 2007 are Ukraine (from 8th to 7th place), Singapore (from 14th to 12th place), Belarus (from 19th to 15th place), Serbia (from 21st to 16th place), Montenegro (from 35th to 23rd place) and Vietnam (from 29th to 24th place).