The European Patent Office (EPO) has released its eagerly awaited Patent Index for 2023, unveiling a promising surge in innovation, with Cyprus demonstrating significant progress.

With 6.300 staff members, the EPO is one of the largest public service institutions in Europe. Headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Brussels, The Hague and Vienna, the EPO was founded with the aim of strengthening co-operation on patents in Europe. The EPO is also currently the world's leading authority in patent information and patent searching.

In Cyprus, a remarkable growth was observed, with a 23.3% increase in patent applications compared to the previous year. The country registered 53 applications and received 27 grants in 2023, ranking 49th globally.

Cyprus showed a diverse range of technological interests, with electrical machinery (18.9%) and digital communication, medical technology and pharma (9.4%) leading its submissions.

The EPO reported an impressive total of 199,275 patent applications in 2023, marking a 2.9% increase from the previous year. This growth trend, consistently upward since 2019, signals robust investment in research and development globally.

António Campinos, President of the EPO, highlighted the continued vibrancy of innovation, with a notable rise in applications from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “Europe’s SMEs are increasingly leveraging patents,” Campinos noted, “benefiting from the new Unitary Patent system, which simplifies protection of inventions across the EU.”

Digital communication, medical technology, and computer technology led the 2023 submissions. Remarkably, electrical machinery and energy technologies experienced the most significant growth, signifying a shift towards sustainable and clean-energy solutions.

The EPO's 2023 data reveals a dynamic global landscape. The United States, Germany, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea topped the list of patent application origins. Interestingly, the Republic of Korea's substantial 21.0% increase in applications propelled it into the top five for the first time.

European countries also showed robust activity, with Germany, the UK, Italy, and Finland among the nations displaying considerable growth in patent filings. Switzerland remained a leader in patent applications per capita, followed by several Nordic countries.

From a global perspective, the EPO's 39 member states contributed 43% of the total applications, indicating a strong commitment to innovation within Europe.

The 2023 index also underscored the growing role of women in innovation. In Europe, 27% of patent applications included at least one woman inventor, with Spain, France, and Belgium leading in gender diversity.

Huawei, Samsung, LG, Qualcomm, and Ericsson dominated the applicant rankings, indicating the significant impact of large tech companies in the global patent landscape.

“Our latest Patent Index shows that innovation remained vibrant around the world in 2023,” said EPO President António Campinos.