Taiwan Patent Applications up 2% y-y in 2008
January 19, 2009

It was recently reported by the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), that Taiwan patent applications grew 2.16% y-y in 2008 to 83,601 applications, increasing 112 basis point over 2007 annual growth of 1.04%.

According to Mr. Henry Hong, president of Top Team International Patent & Trademark Office, ‘the results revealed that despite the economic slowdown, Taiwan companies continue to strive for manufacturing and business competitiveness’.

Latest government statistics show that the 112 basis point increase in annual growth for 2008 patent applications was contrary to a forecast 383 basis point decrease in annual growth for Taiwan’s 2008 GDP from 5.70% in 2007 to 1.87% forecast for 2008.

Among the leading Taiwan companies in terms of number of patent applications, Hon Hai Precision ranked 1st for the 6th consecutive year with 3,297 applications. With Hon Hai Precision ranking 22nd in terms of number of patents issued in the U.S. (719) according to IFI Patent Intelligence, Mr. Hong stated that, ‘it is clear, that there is a correlation between Taiwan patent application and U.S. (global) patent application activity.’

Additionally, Mr. Hong also pointed out that, ‘among the top 10 leading Taiwan companies reported by the TIPO, a number are long standing clients of Top Team’s, including the Industrial Technology Research Institute, AU Optronics, TSMC, Inventec Appliances, Mitac, and Delta Electronics.

Nevertheless, when asked about 2009, Mr. Hong was conservative. ‘Despite Taiwan’s forecast 2009 GDP growth of 2.12%, many companies have noticeably been hit with the economic slowdown. As such, while applications may hold steady in 2009, for those in the IP services industry, the performance of the number of Taiwan patent applications will not be without some financial sacrifices. As such, everyone in the IP services industry food chain will likely be affected, until economically, things turn around. Hopefully, it will be sooner, rather than later.’

 

For further information, please contact wil_asato@top-team.com.tw