Brazil fast becoming a hotbed of trademark and patent filings

A new report by Thomas Reuters, The Grown-Up BRIC: Innovation and Brand Expansion in Brazil, found that trademark and patent filings have grown at a furious pace. For instance:

• The total number of unique inventions issued in published patent applications and granted patents in Brazil grew 64 percent from 2001 to 2010.
• Between 1990 and 2010, trademark applications increased nearly 200 percent, reports www.sacbee.com.
• The top technology areas in terms of volume of published patent applications and granted patents with a Brazilian priority between 2001 and 2010 were computers, automotive technology, domestic appliances, and pharmaceuticals.
• Twenty-seven percent of all patents in Brazil are owned by universities, a direct result of steps taken by the Brazilian government to improve cooperation between universities and industry.

"Few emerging market economies boast Brazil's unique combination of steady growth and a well-established intellectual property system," said David Brown, president of the IP Solutions business of Thomson Reuters. "Our analysis reveals Brazil is a country ripe with market opportunity for the international community. Its stable intellectual property system and respect of brand protection make it a viable choice for companies looking to expand globally."