Chinese slowdown triggers drop in global patenting

Global patenting activity fell in 2019 for first time in a decade

The first fall in global patent applications in a decade has been triggered by a drop-off in activity in China, the nation whose previously insatiable appetite for intellectual property had for years driven surging numbers.

According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, 2019 saw a 3 per cent decline in global patent applications. But if China is excluded from the picture, global numbers rose by 2.3 per cent.