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Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > WHITE PAPER ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY2003 > Part2 2.3 2.3.2 2.3.2.1

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Part2 The Current Status of Science and Technologyin Japan and Other Nations
2.3 Trends Related to Research Performance
2.3.2 Patents
2.3.2.1 Patents in Selected Countries(Trends in Application and Registration)


  As for the number of patent applications in major advanced nations(both applications filed domestically and in other countries,with those filed in other countries including patents filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT applications 16) )and the European Patent Convention(EPC applications 17) ),Japan was ranked No.1in the world up through1989.Since1992,however,when the United States moved into the top ranking,the order has remained steady with the United States at the top,followed by Japan,Germany,the United Kingdom,and France.In particular,the increase in patent applications in the United States has been remarkably rapid since1989 (Figure2-3-7).


Note16)PCT Application:In1978,the Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT)went into effect,by which it became possible for the applicant to apply for patents in more than one country(designated countries)at the same time,when he presents one application at one place.The number of PCT member countries is115,as of October4,2001.


Note17)EPC Application:In1977,the European Patent Convention(EPC)went into effect,and since June1978,the European Patent Office(EPO)has been processing European patent(EPC)applications.When a European patent is granted after an examination by the EPO,the patent has the same validity in the other EPC member countries designated by the applicant.The number of EPC member countries is20,as of November2,2000

Figure2-3-7Trends in the number of patent applications in selected countries

  Meanwhile,the trend for the number of patents granted is modestly upward for most countries,with Japan and the United States emerging as particularly close rivals in recent years (Figure2-3-8) .There was a spike in Japan's patent grants in the year1996,due to the introduction in that year of the patent post-grant objection system,which ser-ved to shorten the patent filing process.

Figure2-3-8Trends in the number of patents granted by selected countries

  In most major countries,the share of patent applications made by their own citizens that are made in other countries,and of patents granted by other countries to their citizens,is fairly high.In Japan,however,this ratio is relatively lower than elsewhere.In addition,the proportion of patent ap-plications by non-Japanese in Japan,and of patents granted to non-Japanese in Japan,is much lower than in other major countries (Table2-3-9).

Table2-3-9Number of patent applications(granted patents)in selected countries(2000)

  Patent applications in foreign countries is particularly high in the United States,with applications apparently being placed in countries believed to offer the possibility of becoming production sites in the future,or where potential markets exist.U.S.patent applicants appear to be positioning intellectual property as important strategic assets,and to be aiming for international growth.


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