Patent applications rise 44%

Patent applications from China rocketed in 2005, boosting the country from 13th place in the number filed to 10th, according to a UN World Intellectual Property Organization report. More than 134,000 applications were filed worldwide in 2005, up 10% from the year before. The US remained in the lead. China rose 44% from 2004 to an estimated 2,452, overtaking Australia, Canada and Italy. Japan rose 24% to 25,145, taking second place ahead of Germany, France and Britain. South Korea beat the Netherlands to sixth place, with 4,747 applications, up 34% overall from 2004.