The European Patent Office (EPO) have announced that patent filings have reached an all-time high, with the origin of applicants predominantly coming from outside Europe and the strongest growth from Asia.

The top five applicants were: Samsung, Siemens, Philips, LG and BASF. With 65.5% of applicants coming from large companies, followed by SMEs and individual inventors (29%) and lastly universities (5.5%.)

Computer technology, Transport and Electrical machinery all saw an increase in filings. Whereas Pharmaceuticals, Engines, pumps, turbines, Organic fine chemistry, Digital Communication and Biotechnology saw a decrease in filings.

Read the full article on EPO’s website.

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