Record number of trademarks registered in 2007

For the 15th consecutive year, Germany topped the list of filers, followed by France, and the US. China remained the most designated country in international trademark applications, reflecting increasing levels of trading activity by foreign companies in China.

WIPO Director General Kamil Idris welcomed the growing use of the WIPO’s Madrid system. “The Madrid system has earned the trust and confidence of the business community as a reliable option for brands seeking export markets.”

“Brand value is one of the most important assets that a business holds. Trademarks are a key means by which businesses are able to add value to their day-to-day commercial operations and thereby secure their long-term financial viability.”

Since October 2004, applicants from the EC have had the option to file their international applications either through their national trademark office or through the EC’s regional trademark office in Alicante. In 2007, the third full year of the EC as a member of the Madrid system, the number of international applications filed through Alicante rose by 37.9, with the 27 countries of the EU accounting for 26,026 applications in 2007.  

The German company Henkel from is holder of the largest number of international trademark registrations under the Madrid system with 2,567. The top ten holders by the end of 2007 were: Henkel (Germany), Janssen Pharmaceutica (Belgium), Novartis (Switzerland), L’Oréal (France), Unilever (Netherlands), Nestlé (Switzerland), Sanofi-Aventis (France), Siemens (Germany), BASF (Germany), ITM Entreprises (France).