Record Year for PCT (International) Patent Application Filings – A Closer Look at the Golf Industry

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently announced that a record 145,300 PCT applications were filed in 2006. The United States led the way with just under 50,000 PCT applications filed, representing 34% of all PCT filings. Japanese applicants ranked second with 18.5% of the total applications, while Germany and France rounded out the top five. My informal research of the golf industry shows the following number of PCT applications published in 2006 for the golf giants:

1) Callaway Golf – 142

2) Acushnet – 103

3) Karsten Manufacturing – 47

4) Nike – 36

5) Taylor Made Golf – 25

These companies are making a major investment in intellectual property protection. Congratulations.