The World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) global intellectual property (IP) registries for patents, trademarks and designs all registered growth in 2024, as enterprises and individuals increased their use of WIPO systems to protect and promote their products in foreign markets.

Designs contained in applications filed with the Hague System (International Design System) increased by 6.8% in 2024, while international patent applications filed through WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty (International Patent System) increased by 0.5%. And following two consecutive years of decline, WIPO’s Madrid System for the International Registration of Trademarks (International Trademark System) saw a 1.2% increase in filing activity.

International patent system (Patent Cooperation Treaty – PCT)
Top PCT filers
In 2024, the total number of PCT filings reached 273,900, a 0.5% increase compared to 2023. China remained the top source, submitting 70,160 applications. Following China were the US (54,087 applications), Japan (48,397), the Republic of Korea (23,851) and Germany (16,721). While China returned to growth (+0.9%), the US, Japan and Germany experienced declines of 2.8%, 1.2%, and 1.3%, respectively. This marks the third consecutive year of decrease for the US, and the second for both Germany and Japan. In contrast, the Republic of Korea saw strong growth of 7.1% - its 27th successive year of growth.

International trademark system (Madrid System)
Top Madrid filers
After two consecutive years of decline, the total number of international trademark applications filed under WIPO’s Madrid System returned to growth in 2024, totaling 65,000 applications, representing a 1.2% increase compared to 2023. US-based applicants (11,270 applications) filed the largest number of international trademark applications, followed by those located in Germany (6,449), China (5,828), France (4,211) and the UK (3,736).
International design system (Hague System)
Top Hague filers
In 2024, WIPO's Hague System for the international protection of industrial designs saw application numbers reach an all-time high of 27,161 designs. This represents a 6.8% increase, continuing the System's growth for the fourth consecutive year. China was the leading filer in 2024, with 4,870 designs, followed by Germany (4,218 designs), the US (3,034), Italy (2,249) and Switzerland (2,109). Five of the top 10 countries experienced double-digit growth in 2024, with China leading with 29.6% growth, followed by Italy (+23.8%), the Netherlands (+17.4%), the Republic of Korea (+16.8%) and the US (+13.3%). China's overall growth is largely attributable to a substantial increase in filings by Huawei Technologies, which submitted an additional 387 designs in 2024 compared to 2023.