The European Patent Office (EPO) recently unveiled the Patent Index 2024, shedding light on the surge of innovations in computer technology within the European Union (EU). This annual report offers insights into global innovation trends based on European patent applications. The data from the EPO highlights a consistent high demand for patents with unitary effect, surpassing initial expectations in the unitary patent system’s early stages.
In 2024, the EPO received a total of 199,264 patent applications, showcasing a marginal decrease of 0.1% from the previous year while maintaining an upward trend since 2020. The United States emerged as the leading country of origin for patent applicants at the EPO, accounting for 24% of all applications. Noteworthy growth in patent filings was observed from South Korea, positioning the country among the top five nations in the Patent Index for 2024. Additionally, Asian companies dominated the list of top patent filers at the EPO in 2024, with Korean tech giants Samsung and LG, along with China’s Huawei, securing prominent ranks.
The realm of computer technology experienced a significant upsurge in patent applications, becoming the top technical field in the EU for the first time in 2024. This sector saw a 3.3% increase in patent filings, reflecting the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Electrical machinery, apparatus, and energy followed closely, exhibiting substantial growth for the second consecutive year. The report also highlighted the rising popularity of unitary patents, with approximately 28,000 patents granted by the EPO seeking unitary protection in 2024, constituting over a quarter of all EU patents issued that year.
Moreover, efforts to enhance inclusivity in the EU patent system were evident, with a quarter of patent applications listing at least one woman inventor in 2024. Spain, in particular, demonstrated a significant representation of women inventors in patent filings. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), individual inventors, and academic institutions within the EU also contributed substantially to patent applications. The EPO attributed the increased filings from these entities to fee reductions implemented in April 2024, indicating a positive trend towards broader participation in the EU’s patent landscape.
The EPO’s Patent Index 2024 underscores the dynamic landscape of innovation within the EU, with computer technology spearheading advancements and unitary patents gaining traction as a streamlined protection mechanism. The collaborative efforts of diverse stakeholders, including individuals, SMEs, and academic institutions, are enriching the patent ecosystem and fostering a culture of innovation across the EU.
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