This bump chart displays the number of patent applications filed annually from 1980 to 2021 at the world's top five intellectual property offices: CNIPA (China National Intellectual Property Administration), EPO (European Patent Office, representing 39 European member countries), JPO (Japan Patent Office), KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office), and USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). It also includes data for all other nations grouped under “Other Countries – National Independent Patent Offices”.
The visualization highlights shifts in patent filings over time, emphasizing the relative rankings of countries across decades. Record-breaking years for each office are marked, drawing attention to peak filing periods and reflecting the growing contributions of nations to global innovation. This underscores the dynamic role of emerging economies in shaping research and development worldwide.
Date
Source
Annual patent applications. Our World in Data (2024). Data adapted from the World Intellectual Property Organization (via World Bank).
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Captions
Annual patent applications filed at the world's major patent offices from 1980 to 2021.