Trade mark filings reach 135,000 in three decades
Trade mark filings reach 135,000 in three decades
A new report exploring data from the Cambodia Trademark Database has confirmed that 135,000 applications for trade mark protections were filed over the previous three decades, from January 1991 to July 2024.
According to Phang Monyrak, Associate at Rouse International Limited, and author of the July 2024 report, the increase in new intellectual property (IP) applications underscores a robust interest in trademark protection in Cambodia and a key indicator of the nation’s economic growth and smooth integration into the global marketplace.
As Cambodia has steadily opened its doors to foreign investment and trade, businesses both domestic and international have increasingly recognized the importance of safeguarding their brands through trademark registration and enforcement, Phang added.
In terms of business types applying for trade mark registration in the Kingdom throughout the last 30 years, the report detailed that the agriculture and health sectors lead the pack with 20 percent and 18 percent of all filed trademarks, respectively.
Research and technology followed with a 12 percent share of trade mark filings, and business services with a 10 percent share.
Phang’s research also highlighted that local applications have notably surged, constituting 24 percent of the total applications on record.
This trend reflects growing domestic entrepreneurial activity within the country, noted the report.
In regards to international engagement, the US leads in total filings with 12 percent of applications, closely followed by China at 11 percent.
According to the report, these trends by major global players indicate a strong foreign interest in Cambodia’s market for trademark protections.
In the last five years, the total number of trademark filings in Cambodia saw a steady decrease from 9,342 in 2019 to 6,953 in 2023.
Meanwhile, local trademark filings peaked in 2020 at 3,574 but declined to 1,984 in 2023, a drop of 44.5 percent compared to 2020.
International trade mark filings have steadily decreased in the last five years, from 6,616 in 2019 to 4,969 in 2023, a reduction of 24.8 percent.
However, Phang confirmed that the ratio of local versus international trademark application filings has remained relatively stable over the past five years, with a slight decrease in the ratio of international filings during the Covid-19 period, yet increasing again in 2023.
Throughout the last five years, international or foreign trade mark filings have consistently accounted for the majority, ranging from 60 percent to 71 percent of the total filings.
In 2024, from January 1 to July 13, a total of approximately 3,000 applications were filed.
Of the 2024 filings, the research and technology, business services, health and agriculture sectors constitute half of this year’s filings, showcasing a diverse array of business interests seeking protection in Cambodia.
Local applicants accounted for one-third of 2024 filings, while the remaining two-thirds originated from foreign applicants.
Among the foreign applicants, Chinese companies have been the most active this year, filing over 20 percent of all applications, followed by the US companies, filing 6 percent, Japan (5 percent), Singapore (3 percent), Thailand (3 percent) and South Korea (3 percent).
Phang said that this influx of trade mark activity underscores Cambodia’s attractiveness as an investment destination, as well as the country’s efforts to establish a robust intellectual property framework to support its further economic development.
