2017 was a year of high activity at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO). We implemented our most important priorities and attained the objectives specified in our management system.

The Norwegian Industrial Property Office is the most important centre of expertise in Norway for intellectual property rights.

The principal task of the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) is to process applications for patents, trademarks and designs, and to grant such rights. In 2017 there was a sharp increase in the number of trademark applications.

The increase in the number of trademark applications filed directly at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office by Norwegian applicants continued in 2017, leading to the highest number ever.

There was a slight increase in the number of design applications filed at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) in 2017 compared with the previous year. This applies to both the number of applications direct to NIPO and applications through the Hague Agreement.

The total number of patent applications filed at the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) has varied somewhat in recent years, but has shown a slightly rising trend since 2011. The number of applicants received in 2017 was on a par with 2016.

The Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) has a quality control system which contributes to ensuring that the correct quality is achieved in the processing of applications.

We conduct annual surveys to measure customer satisfaction and to help us improve customer dialogue.

It is a goal for the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) that Norwegian businesses should have sufficient knowledge and awareness of how they can ensure profitability by making correct use of intellectual property rights and assets.

Developing more customer-friendly digital services was a priority for the Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) in 2017.

IPR maturity reflects the degree to which companies use the system of intellectual property rights, the degree to which they take account of intellectual property rights in their operations and whether they see if IPR is relevant or not to their business.

Norwegian Industrial Property Office (NIPO) and participation in international organisations

The economic trend is again positive, both on a worldwide basis and in Norway. The IMF expects global growth of 3.9% in 2018 and 2019. Norwegian trade and industry is experiencing increasing demand, and is greatly assisted by higher oil prices and a low Norwegian krone exchange rate.