The number of patent applications filed with the European Patent Office (EPO) remained virtually unchanged in 2024 compared with 2023, at 199,264. The previous year, a total of 199,452 patents were filed, 188 more than the previous year. Applications from EU countries also fell slightly (-0.4%). As in 2023, the top three countries of origin of applications are: the United States, Germany and Japan. US patents even far outnumber those from Germany: 47,787 versus 25,033.
IT technologies such as artificial intelligence top the patent rankings. Machinery, equipment and electrical energy are also well represented in patent filings, with a growth of 8.9% compared with 2023. By contrast, the pharmaceuticals sector saw a sharp fall of 13.2%.
The leading company in patent filings is the Korean company Samsung, followed by the Chinese Huawei and another Korean brand, LG. European firms are only fifth in the ranking: Siemens (6th), BASF (7th), Ericsson (8th) and Bosch (10th).
To see the patent index for 2024: https://aeur.eu/f/g3j (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)