WIPO

International experts at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) have agreed to simplify the structure of the international system for classifying patents.

International trademark activity remained robust in 2008 with the World International Property Organisation (WIPO) receiving a record 42,075 applications.

The World Intellectual Property Organisation is to align its programmes, resources and structures with a new set of goals.

As patent offices choke on the surge in demand, and illegal downloading and counterfeiting grows apace, Francis Gurry, new head of WIPO, outlines his priorities.

There was an unprecedented number of cybersquatting cases in 2007, according to the latest statistics from the World Intellectual Property Organisation.

A record 39,945 international trademark applications were received in 2007 by the World Intellectual Property Organization, up 9.5 per cent on 2006.

A record 156,000 patents were filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty in 2007, up 4.7 per cent over the previous year.