David Murray

Scotland filed 1,168 registered design applications in 2019 compared with 757 applications the previous year – representing a 54.2% rise. This bucks the overall UK trend which saw a modest decline of 2.4%.

The percentage of patents granted to Scottish applicants was up to 6.7% from 4.8% the previous year, while the UK saw a more notable drop of 8% in the same period.

Meanwhile, trademarks filed in the name of Scottish applicants rose by 7.1% (from 3,494 to 3,744). This was echoed across the whole of the UK which saw a 12.9% increase.

Principal associate David Murray, a chartered (UK) and European patent attorney and European design attorney from Marks & Clerk, said: “The design figures are a real coup for Scotland, making it the largest growth area for registered design applications in the whole of the UK.

“In contrast, the UK as a whole saw its first decline since 2015, although it must be noted the drop was marginal and follows a successful three years which saw a 304% increase between 2015 and 2018.

“Looking at the patent figures, Scotland continues to be a hotbed of new technological development remaining robust in the face of a more general downward trend.

“Meanwhile the trademark figures reflect the rapid development of the Scottish food and drink sector with the rise of independent brewing, craft beer markets and new gin producers. One stand-out name amongst the Top 50 trademark applicants was BrewDog arriving in 24th position – this company is constantly innovating and the volume of trademark filings appears to reflect that.

“The increase in the number of UK trademark applications may also be attributed to Brexit, with brand owners filing UK trademark applications in anticipation of the end of the transition period.”