The European Patent Office has published the Patent Index for 2023. According to the report, the number of patent applications in Europe increased by 2.9% compared to the previous year. This means that the number of applications has reached a new high. The technical fields with the most patent applications filed at the EPO last year were digital communication (including technologies for mobile phone networks), medical technology and computer technology. The top five countries of origin for European patent applications were the United States, Germany, Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

The new Unitary Patent also proved popular with applicants around the world. Unitary protection was requested for 17.5% of all European patents granted in 2023.

Further information, analyses and graphics can be found here.