The World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) has issued a report (2011 World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) Report) which details the state of world intellectual property filings — and the findings are that despite the economic downturn, 2011 has seen a marked increase in worldwide patent filings. According to the report, which shows data up to 2010, the US and China accounted for about 80% of the 7.2% growth in patent filings. After two years of almost no growth in patent filings, the US Patent and Trademark Office saw a 7.5% increase in 2010.  China saw a 24.2% increase. The European Patent Office experienced a 12.2% growth.  Also, for the first time, the Chinese Patent Office has surpassed the Japanese Patent Office in terms of number of filings.

The report shows that  computer technology, electrical machinery, audio-visual technology and medical technology accounted for the largest shares of patent filings worldwide.