European patent applications filed with the EPO
Direct European applications filed in 2012 and international applications (PCT) entering the European phase in 2012
In 2012, 148 494 applications were recorded, a 4% increase compared with 2011. Medical technology was once again the field with the highest volume of applications, but some areas, such as digital communication (+20.4%) and electrical machinery (+11.4%), had impressive double-digit growth rates, while transport technology also grew markedly over 2011. A downturn in the number of filings was registered in organic fine chemistry (-6.9%), biotechnology (-4.3%) and pharmaceuticals (-0.2%).
Technical fields1 with the most applications (2012)2
1 Classified according to the IPC and technology concordance table compiled by the Fraunhofer ISI for WIPO
2 Based on European patent applications filed with the EPO
More detailed data as Excel sheets
European patent applications 2003-2012 per country of residence of the applicant
European patent applications 2003-2012 per field of technology