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Bavaria on top in patents
Worldwide, Germany ranks second in patent applications, according to the latest studies by the European Patent Office (EPO). Bavaria has even made it to the top position in a European comparison. There are large increases especially in the life science sector and in digital technologies.
Patents are essential for a company to successfully compete in the national and international marketplace, and they increase competitiveness. In addition, patent application numbers are also a measure of the innovative strength of a (federal) state.
According to the latest Patent Index 2020, Bavaria remains the leading region in patent applications in the EU. Although Bavaria shows a decrease of 7.6 percent compared to the previous year, it remains in first place in the ranking with 7,204 patents, ahead of the French region Île-de-France and Baden-Württemberg.
However, it is not only at European level that Bavaria comes up trumps. In a comparison of German cities, the southernmost German state is also clearly ahead of Stuttgart (1,379) and Ludwigshafen (1,115), with 3,633 patents for the state capital Munich. But what is the reason for this clear favorite position? Bruno Götz , head of the Patent Center Bavaria at Bayern Innovativ GmbH, has the answer: "In Munich, as in Bavaria as a whole, there are many research institutions, universities, innovative companies and start-ups are located. In addition, top-ranked Siemens usually registers its patents centrally in Munich."
Germany on the podium
In a global comparison, Germany ranks second behind the United States of America (44,293) and ahead of Japan (21,841) with 25,954 applications for patents in Europe. This makes it all the more clear that Germany holds a high position as a country of inventors.
Top 40 countries in European patent applications
Siemens at the forefront
The Siemens Group, which has one of its two headquarters in Munich, ranks first in Germany, ahead of Robert Bosch GmbH and BASF SE. And in the European market, Siemens AG's patent applications last year were also impressive. According to the EPO, the German company ranks sixth worldwide. Actually, Siemens even deserves fourth place, because Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG (584) is listed separately in the statistics. Adding up their numbers, Siemens reaches 2,209 patents in 2020, pushing it ahead of Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Ericsson GmbH.
Our Patent Index 2020 shows that demand for patent protection remains high ... Even if we cannot reliably predict trends in filing activity over the coming months or years, there is no disputing that the path to a healthier world and stronger, more sustainable economies is through innovation, research and science. After all, innovation, supported by a strong IP system, is a significant driver of recovery in every sense of the word.
Life Science Industry Winners
The largest increases in patents of all technology fields are in these three medical focus areas:
- Medical Technology (14,295)
- Drugs (8,589)
- Biotechnology (7,246)
Patents in this area have been climbing steadily upward since 2006. Digital technologies remain at the top of the list, as in recent years. They have the implementation of 5G networks and developments in artificial intelligence (AI) to thank, among other things. The transportation sector, on the other hand, has seen a sharp decline.
Alone the absolute number of patent applications does not have much meaning, it also depends on the quality. When companies file patent applications with the EPO, they want to protect the inventions in multiple countries. This is associated with higher costs. As a rule, applicants make the effort only for inventions that they consider to be of high quality. This is why the statistics on European patent applications are particularly meaningful.
Bayern Innovativ puts SMEs first
Although it is predominantly large corporations that are represented in the rankings, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are taking on an increasingly important role in the German and global markets. Often it is not the large companies with the best ideas, but the Medium-sized companies and start-ups that generate progress as well as new developments.
"After a steady decline in the SME share in recent years, the situation has developed positively in 2020: SMEs were able to increase the number of applications by 3 percent to a total of 21 percent," Bruno Götz knows. In general, he advises protecting the right inventions. In other words, patents that are in line with the company's strategy and have a customer benefit. Systematic patent management is essential in this context.
Bayern Innovativ therefore supports in particular SMEs and start-ups from the initial idea to innovation in all matters relating to advice on the optimal use of property rights.
Since 2020, the Patent Center Bavaria (PZB) has been part of Bayern Innovativ GmbH . Experienced experts provide advice on everything to do with property rights and patents - from patent and property right searches to detailed advice and the application process, as well as free patent attorney advice. The Services can be used both in person at Bayern Innovativ's headquarters in Nuremberg and digitally via virtual support . In 2020, the PZB has conducted about 1,500 consultations.
- Who? The Patent Center Bavaria (PZB)
- What? All about industrial property rights (patents, trademarks and designs)
- How? Uncomplicated, fast, effective and goal-oriented
- Why? Improve competitiveness with the right patent management
- Where? On site in Nuremberg as well as virtually
- When? Always there for you
Profit from a strategic patent management and convince yourself of the professional and long-standing expertise. We would like to secure your competitiveness together with you!