Design
So far this year, the Norwegian Industrial Property Office, NIPO, has received approx. 90 design applications from Norwegian business. So far, there is a decrease of approx. 30% compared to last year, where in the same period we received approx. 130 applications. On design, there are small numbers and usually with relatively large variations from year to year. Nevertheless, we see a falling trend in the use of design registration by Norwegian business. The table below shows the development over the past ten years. With the government's commitment to "Norway exports" and selected industries such as the design and lifestyle industry, NIPO and the IP industry have an important role in strengthening business IP competence in the future, not least in the area of design.
Trademark
In the trademark area, the number of applications from Norwegian business is somewhat lower than in the same period last year (-5%). If we look at figures from the last ten years, there is also potential here for increased use of trademark registration. The entry of trademarks from foreign applicants via the Madrid Protocol has also fallen so far this year, by almost 20%. In the annual report for 2023, we explained last year's fall with increased uncertainty in the business world due to the pandemic, war in Ukraine, increased interest rates and inflation. This trend therefore seems likely to continue.
Patent
In the area of patents, so far this year we have received approx. 7% fewer applications from Norwegian applicants (479), compared to the same period last year (516). Applications via PCT have fallen accordingly.