EPO Patent Index 2023: Foreword

#EPOPatentIndex
Innovation stays strong: growth in patent applications driven by digital and clean energy technologies in 2023. Full rankings: bit.ly/PatentI...
➡️ Patent applications up 2.9% to almost 200 000 filings
➡️ Record demand reflects confidence in EPO’s high quality patents and the attractiveness of Europe’s technology market
➡️ Of the 104 609 patents granted by EPO in 2023, some 18 344 (17.5%) requested unitary effect
➡️ Uptake of Unitary Patents by European proprietors was even higher at 25.8%
➡️ Women were named as inventors on 27% of all applications filed to EPO from European applicants in 2023
➡️ Applicants from China (+8.8%) and Korea (+21.0%) are main drivers of growth in patent filings
➡️ Top 5 countries of origin are US, Germany, Japan, China and Korea
➡️ Most major European countries see growth in filings
➡️ Huawei tops applicants’ ranking, followed by Samsung, LG, Qualcomm and Ericsson