2019 EPO Patent Report: Which Countries Top the Innovation Charts?

2019 was a record year for Europe in terms of patents as newly released EPO data demonstrates.

As far as the geographic breakdown of the European patent applications is concerned, there is no great change compared to the previous year. The United States remains the most active country in patent matters with 46,201 applications, an increase of more than 5% on last year. Germany (26,850) and Japan (22,066) also performed well: despite a slight decrease, the latter remains the third most active country. The only change in the top 5 was China, the country with the highest growth (+29.3%, 12,247 applications), which overtook France, in fifth place, down 2.9%.

This drop can be attributed to several factors: on the one hand, a drop in demand from certain French groups; on the other, changes to the companies themselves. For example, Technicolor - previously the 5th largest French applicant - sold its patent and licensing activities in 2018 and its research and innovation activities a year later to American company InterDigital. Its applications are therefore now registered as American.

Between regional centrality and territorial uniformity

There were a total of 98,913 applications from non-EPO countries and 82,493 applications from EPO countries. The Munich-based EPO has 38 members, including the 27 states of the European Union. However, applications can also be made by other countries.

Regarding the EPO ranking, Germany can be pleased with its showing as it accounted for about one-third of all applications. France, despite the slight decrease, remains the second most innovative country in Europe. Next come Switzerland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The latter, which despite leaving the European Union on February 1st  is still a member of the EPO and one of the fastest growing countries, with 6.9% more patent application than the previous year. Spain (+6%) and Sweden (+8%) also stand out; as do Portugal (23.1%) and Greece (+15.8%): however, the volume of their applications is significantly lower than the other countries.

Of the 10,163 French applications, the majority come from the greater Paris region, the second biggest hub of patent activity in Europe. Auvergne-Rhones-Alpes is the only other French region to make the top 20, with 1,328 applications.

Germany had the most innovative region in 2019 (Bavaria), and also boasted a very high number of patents from North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden Wüttemberg. Switzerland, although with no cantons as prominent placed as the aforementioned regions in neighboring nations, remains the third most innovative country, due to its territorial uniformity.

The figures for the fastest growing sectors and companies are also revealing. To find out more, please read our next article  2019 EPO Patent Report: what were the year's growth sectors and companies?, out next week.

Francesco Magon