Brussels, 09/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Compiling patent applications submitted by all member states, the EU ranks first in the classification established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). With a general rise of 10.7% compared to last year, a new record was reached in 2011 for the total number of patent applications, according to WIPO estimates published on Monday 5 March.
With 50,102 applications out of a total of 181,900, the EU is just ahead of the United States (48,596) and Japan (38,888). Nonetheless, it is China that notched up the best progress in 2011 with 33.4% of additional applications, although its overall figure remains relatively low (18,568). The most privileged area is that of digital communication technology, followed by electrical machines, medical technology and information communication technology. Best progress in Europe was made by Switzerland (+7.3%), France (+5.8%), Germany (+5.7%) and Sweden (+4.6%). (JK/transl.jl)