Which Countries Apply for the Most Trademarks Around the World?

Trademarks might not be something you think about often, but they are essential for both protecting the integrity and success of brands! The origins of trademarks can be traced back to the Stone Age; cave paintings of livestock with branding meant to identify personal property have been found. In Ancient Egypt, stones were engraved with marks to indicate the origin of the material as well as the laborer who completed the work. Since then, trademarks have evolved into legally intensive and global agents that are crucial for the flow of commerce. Every country has its own system that involves applications, fees, renewals, and more. The team at Nominus.com has created a chart that visualizes which countries apply for the most trademarks around the world.

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Something fascinating I have learned from this chart is that trademarks are not universal and you are only protected in the country you applied for. Fortunately, there is an epic-sounding system called the Madrid Protocol that allows you to seek protection in 129 countries at once! So what is the most “creative” country? Of course it’s far from the only measure of a country’s inventiveness, but Monaco takes the cake with 11,609.20 trademarks per capita in 2021! Out of the most populous countries, Germany applies for the most trademarks per capita. That does not surprise me as Germany has a reputation for quality, innovation, and vigorous manufacturing output. In fact, it ranks #1 in Statista’s Made-In-Country Index, which is a measure of how trusted a country’s name is on labels.

Overall, I really love the color scheme used for this chart – it’s easy on the eyes, effective, and unique. Have you ever applied for a trademark? How did you find the process? We would love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!