The Brazilian Patent and Trademark Office has recently published its 2014 activities report. According to the disclosed numbers, patent examination output was 40% higher when compared to 2013. Nonetheless, the backlog increased 6% in 2014 –which is still better than the 11% growth rate seen in 2013. The good news is that the office will hire 95 new examiners this year.In trademarks, output was 76% higher as compared to 2013. For the first time in four years, backlog has decreased (1%), reversing the prior yearly increase trend of 22%. Moreover, 36 new trademark examiners are to be hired.It is to be stressed that, even though productivity has increased, the number of filings of new patent applications has experienced a drop of 3%, while trademark filings decreased 4%.If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at prevail@lickslegal.com.