Trademarks reflect general business and economic trends. I posted recently about how overall filings have risen slowly but steadily over the last few years, and appear to be continuing to do so in 2015.
But more specific trends in the economy can also be viewed through a trademark lens. The USPTO trademark application filing records show the enormous growth in businesses in a variety of fields. For exampl here are some fun trends showing the growth in popularity of cupcakes, social media, doughnuts, drones, and pilates.
Filings with “cupcake” or “cupcakes” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 39
- 2009: 103
- 2014: 233
Filings with “pilates” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 71
- 2009: 87
- 2014: 206
Filings with “social media” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 0
- 2009: 349
- 2014: 2, 724
Filings with “drone” or “drones” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 1
- 2009: 3
- 2014: 163
Filings with “doughnut” or “doughnuts” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 142
- 2009: 141
- 20014: 316
Filings with “gluten” in the description of goods or services:
- 2004: 60
- 2009: 183
- 20014: 341
photo from NaughyDonuts http://naughtygirlsdonutshop.com/
