06/04/22 (Agence Europe) – The European Patent Office (EPO) received 188,600 applications in 2021, an increase of 4.5% over the previous year “and the highest number to date”, according to a report published by the EPO on Tuesday 5 April. The number of patent applications increased in nine of the ten most patent-active technology areas, with digital communication and computer technology showing the strongest growth, according to the Office. The fields of audiovisual technology (+24%) and semiconductors (+21%) in particular experienced unprecedented growth. Patent applications are an important indicator, the EPO emphasises in its report, as they show an increase in business investment in research and development. To consult the EPO report: https://aeur.eu/f/150 (PH)