EPO Patent Index: The Nordics’ shine

The annual Patent Index published by the European Patent Office (EPO) offers valuable insights into the patent landscape in Europe. It sheds light on the future trajectory of technology based on the fields with the highest patent filings. Notably, the index reveals a slight decrease in patent filings from European applicants, accounting for 43.4% of total filings. In comparison, companies and inventors from the US contributed 24.9% (48,088) of filings. China experienced the highest growth rate of 9.8% (19,041), closing in on Japan’s 21,576 filings. Within Europe, Germany (24,684) and France (10,900) emerged as the leading patent filers. However, Sweden and Denmark’s positions in the rankings deserve special attention.

Among the European countries, Sweden and Denmark secured the 10th and 12th positions respectively in terms of the number of European patent applications filed. Sweden accounted for 5,036 applications, while Denmark contributed 2,662 applications. This places them 2nd and 3rd in the ranking tables based on population size, surpassed only by Switzerland, which claimed 7th place with 9,008 applications.

Remarkably, several of the top 10 most patent-active fields experienced growth, with energy-related innovations leading the pack at 18.2%. The field of digital communication continued its robust growth with an 11.2% increase. Biotechnology also witnessed significant advancement, recording an 11% rise.

The Nordic region, considering its size and population, is home to renowned brands in technology and fast-moving consumer goods. This is attributable, at least in part, to the proactive stance of these countries’ governments towards education and innovation. Consequently, their populations are highly educated and often deemed tech-savvy. For instance, the Technical University of Denmark recently secured the third position in the world rankings for engineering and technology universities, trailing only MIT and Stanford, as per data collected from Microsoft Academic Graph.

Supporting the innovation ecosystem, the Danish Patent and Trademark Office and the Swedish Intellectual Property Office have established excellent international reputations. These organizations participate in multiple international and bilateral partnerships. It includes the Patent Prosecution Highway, and are renowned for their meticulousness and accessibility in providing information and advice. Moreover, they operate in English when necessary, simplifying the process for organizations seeking to file international patent applications through the EPO.

Various factors contribute to the high EPO rankings based on population size. It is evident that countries fostering innovation and IP development tend to dominate patent application rankings. Denmark and Sweden’s impressive performance against countries with significantly larger populations reaffirms that the development of ideas and innovation within a country often stems from the creative individuals and organizations present, highlighting the significance of nurturing a conducive environment for innovation.

In conclusion, the EPO Patent Index showcases the patent trends in Europe and offers insights into future technology areas. Sweden and Denmark’s notable positions in the rankings underscore the role of education, innovation support, and creative individuals in driving technological advancements. By prioritizing innovation and intellectual property development, these countries have established themselves as key players in the global patent landscape.

Source: IAM Media