EPO Patent Index 2024: Resilience in Innovation Unveiled
Innovation Resilience in the EPO Patent Index 2024
According to the newly released Patent Index 2024, companies and inventors filed an impressive 199,264 patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) last year. This figure remains consistent with the previous year's applications, showcasing the ongoing robustness of innovation during uncertain global economic times.
Patenting Activity Throughout Europe and Beyond
While patent applications from Europe saw a slight increase of 0.3%, those from outside Europe experienced a minor decline of 0.4%. This dynamic illustrates a resilient patenting ecosystem where European inventors continue to showcase their technological advancements despite global challenges.
Comments from Industry Leaders
António Campinos, President of the EPO, highlighted the significance of these figures, stating, "Despite ongoing political and economic uncertainties, European innovators are more committed than ever to investing in research and development. Our data provides a roadmap for industries aiming for growth and policy-makers focusing on innovation. The need for Europe to strengthen its innovation ecosystem cannot be overstated, especially in vital sectors like green technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and semiconductors."
Leadership in Computer Technology
For the first time, computer technology led all sectors with a record of 16,815 patent applications filed in 2024. The remarkable advancements in machine learning and pattern recognition have significantly contributed to this milestone. Additionally, another notable area is electrical machinery and apparatus, which experienced an 8.9% growth with a notable surge in clean energy innovations, such as batteries, showcasing a remarkable increase of 24%.
Global Comparison of Patent Applications
The United States remains the top source of patent filings at the EPO, followed closely by Germany, Japan, China, and South Korea. Interestingly, 43% of applications originated from member states of the EPO, while the remaining 57% came from outside Europe. The data showed that South Korea experienced the highest growth among these nations at 4.2%, while the US and Japan saw slight declines of 0.8% and 2.4% respectively.
Contribution of Major Corporations
In 2024, Samsung emerged as the top applicant at the EPO, marking its return to the top ranking after three years. Following closely were Huawei, LG, Qualcomm, and RTX. Among the top ten applicants, four are European companies, showcasing the diverse origins of innovation and patent filings.
The Role of Small Entities in Driving Innovation
Interestingly, 22% of patent applications from Europe were submitted by individual inventors or small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are defined as companies with fewer than 250 employees. This percentage includes an additional 7% from universities and public research institutions. This trend emphasizes the patent system's role in stimulating innovation among smaller entities, further enhanced by the EPO's recent fee reductions tailored for micro-enterprises and other educational institutions.
Empowering Women in Innovation
Another noteworthy observation from the EPO Patent Index is that 25% of all applications designated at least one woman as an inventor. Spain led the major filing countries, with 42% of its applications including female inventors, followed by Belgium and France with 32% and 31%, respectively. This data points to a growing recognition of women's contributions to technological innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Patent Index 2024 report?
The Patent Index 2024 report published by the EPO details the number of patent applications filed in 2024, showcasing trends in innovation across various sectors.
How many patents were filed in Europe in 2024?
A total of 199,264 patent applications were filed at the European Patent Office in 2024, showing a slight decrease from the previous year.
Which sector led the patent applications in 2024?
Computer technology emerged as the leading sector for patent applications in 2024, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence.
What percentage of patent applications involved female inventors?
In 2024, 25% of all patent applications to the EPO included at least one woman as an inventor.
Who were the top applicants at the EPO in 2024?
Samsung was the top applicant in 2024, followed by Huawei, LG, Qualcomm, and RTX.
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