The European Patent Office (EPO) announced on March 19 (local time) that it had received a record number of patent applications in 2023. This indicates the attractiveness of the European technology market and the increase in research and development investments by companies.
In 2023, the number of patent applications received by the European Patent Office reached 199,275, marking a 2.9% increase compared to the previous year. The major countries applying for patents were the United States, Germany, Japan, and China, in that order, with China’s Huawei leading as the company with the most patent applications for the third consecutive year, followed by Samsung, LG, Qualcomm, Ericsson, and Siemens. Additionally, the number of patent applications from small and medium-sized enterprises also reached a record high.
The increase in patent applications is considered an indicator of the rise in research and development investments by companies. Antonio Campinos, president of the European Patent Office, stated, “This reflects the attractiveness of the European technology market and the excellence of products and services offered by the European Patent Office.”
The European Patent Office receiving a record number of patent applications in 2023 is an important indicator of the growth of the European technology market and the increase in research and development investments by companies. This is expected to have a positive impact on the growth of the European economy.