PATENTS: EUROSTAT REPORTS 24% RISE IN APPLICATIONS IN THE EU LAST YEAR.

Europe Energy, November, 1999

The patent data reported only include the patent application of the EU Member States filed directly with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the patent applications entering EPO via the Euro-PCT route (applications filed under the Patent Convention Treaty and designating the EPO).The number of patent applications filed by the EU has increased at a steady rate with the exception of 1991.

There are major disparities between the Member States. Germany clearly stands out from the rest with a large share of 42.2% (17,090 patent applications) which is more than the combined total of France, the United Kingdom and Italy. Average annual growth rates (between 1991 and 1998) of patent applications of the most EU countries are well above the EU-15 growth rate. Portugal...

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