RCF-PI highlights the importance of protecting trademarks and patents in Portugal

On April 26, World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated, a vital date to reflect on the importance of innovation, creativity, and the protection of Intellectual Rights.

On World Intellectual Property Day, it is important to recognize and celebrate the innovators, creators, and intellectual rights holders who contribute daily to building a more prosperous and sustainable future for all. At the same time, it is essential to raise awareness in society about the importance of protecting intellectual property and respecting the rights of creators and inventors.

It is crucial to highlight that, despite ongoing efforts, Portugal continues to face challenges regarding the appreciation and protection of intellectual property. The country’s business fabric does not always recognize its strategic value, whether in distinctive trade signs, such as trademarks, or in inventions, such as patents, which represents a barrier to sustainable economic development and global competitiveness.

According to data from INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property), only 7% of Portuguese SMEs protect their Intellectual Property Rights, compared to about 9% in the EU27 (a low value also at the European level). The Portuguese business fabric and R&D sectors are still significantly lagging in creating innovations, Intellectual Property, and high value-added technology.

The remaining data also reveal a strong disparity compared to other countries. According to statistics on Patent Applications per Million Inhabitants via international (PCT), originating from different countries, Portugal presented about 21.6 PCT applications (Patent Cooperation Treaty of the World IP Organization) per 1 Million inhabitants, compared to 83.4 from the United Kingdom, 116.5 from France, 203.2 from Germany, and 240.6 from the Netherlands. The United States of America and China, responsible for more than half of the total applications, presented 165.7 and 49 applications per 1 Million inhabitants, respectively.

Regarding the number of trademarks protected per million inhabitants, Portugal registered 14.4, surpassing only China in this metric (3.9), due to the vast number of inhabitants, but being largely surpassed by Germany (79.4), France (62.8), the United Kingdom (57), and the United States (32.7).

On this World Intellectual Property Day, we urge all sectors of society to unite in promoting innovation, creativity, and the protection of Intellectual Property as essential drivers for sustainable development. Together, we can create a world where talent and creativity are recognized, valued, and protected, and where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Read the opinion article “Intellectual Property: Towards a Sustainable Future” at https://www.sapo.pt/opiniao/artigos/propriedade-intelectual-rumo-a-um-futuro-sustentavel.

WIPO – World IP Organization

EUIPO – EU IP Organization

EPO – European Patent Office

INTA – International Trademark Association