Irish applications to European Patent Office growing at fastest rate in a decade

António Campinos

Applications from Ireland grew by 21.4 per cent in 2018, well above the 3.8 per cent average growth of the EPO 38 member states, according to the EPO annual report for 2018.

It is the highest growth rate among the 25 largest patent-filing countries in terms of application volumes at the EPO, where Ireland ranks in 21st place.

In 2018, Irish applicants filed 801 patent applications with the EPO, a new record number and up from 660 in 2017.

Overall, the EPO received 174,317 patent applications in 2018, an increase of 4.6 per cent compared to 2017.

António Campinos, president of the European Patent Office, said: “In terms of patents, 2018 was a very positive year for Ireland.

“The high growth rate in patent applications is also a clear recognition of the value of patents in protecting intellectual property, driving innovation and generating jobs and income. In the EU, IP-intensive industries account for around 38 per cent of jobs, 42 per cent of GDP and 90 per cent of external trade. The patent system helps businesses build a strong technology portfolio to boost economic growth.”