There are a couple of recent stats and trends relating to green IP from the other side of the globe to report. 

First, as discussed at greentechmedia and Tech-On!, a survey of global patent applications relating to “electric propulsion vehicles” (defined as electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles) by the Japan Patent Office concludes that 70% of applications in this category are owned by Japanese applicants.

According to the survey, Japanese applicants accounted for 76% of the 9,034 applications filed between the years 1995 and 2000 and 69% of the applications filed from 2001-2006.

From Japan we turn south to Australia, which has seen trademark applications in the energy sector jump 250% in the last five years along with a substantial rise in clean tech patent applications (15% for solar and 50% for “clean coal” technology).

The Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr discussed these trends in an Australian Labor Party Media Statement released on World Intellectual Property Day in late April (see Senator Carr’s press release here).

Thanks to the Gippsland Friends of Future Generations blog for its post on these green IP trends from down under.

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