EPO Patent Index 2024: Computing & Software takes the lead
Now that we are into 2025 the European Patent Office (EPO) has recently issued the 2024 edition of its annual Patent Index which provides a detailed overview taking stock of European patenting trends over the past year.
Patent application filings
The total number of European patent applications filed in 2024 remained largely consistent with figures reported in the previous year. A total of 199,264 patent applications were filed – only a 0.1% decrease compared to 2023. This includes direct European filings and international (PCT) applications that had entered the European phase.
As suspected, the Unitary Patent system gained popularity in 2024. Unitary Patent protection was requested for over 28,000 patents, representing 25.6% of all granted European patents. European applicants accounted for 64.2% of these requests, with notable participation from the United States (US) and China. Smaller entities also appeared to be making use of the Unitary Patent system, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities accounting for 38% of Unitary Patents. The Unitary Patent system appears to further support innovation by simplifying the validation process in obtaining patent protection across participating European Union (EU) member states.
Top applicants and countries
As usual, Samsung, Huawei and LG were the top applicants, with a substantial 6.6% of all European patent applications filed by these three companies alone. The US remained the top country of origin, accounting for 24% of all filings, followed by Germany, Japan, China and South Korea.
The UK experienced a notable 3.1% rise in filings – one of the highest growth rates in Europe – showing that the UK remains one of the continents leading innovators. The UK’s top applicants included British American Tobacco, Unilever, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems. Global demand for European patents remains at a high level, confirming the importance of Europe’s market for a wide variety of inventions – from healthcare and biotechnology, to AI and electronics.
The growth of computer technology
Digital communications and medical technology have consistently held the top positions among technology fields, according to historical data from the EPO. However, in 2024 computer technology claimed the top position for the first time, with a 3.3% rise in filings. The strong performance in software and computing appears consistent with broader software and global AI trends.
The top applicants in the computing technology field were Samsung, Huawei, and Microsoft, together making up 16% of all computer technology patent applications. The leading country in the computer technology field was the US, with 34.4% of all computer technology applications being filed by US-based applicants. European applicants made up 29.5% of computer technology patent applications.
The UK saw a considerable rise in computer technology innovation, contributing 3.4% of all computer technology filings. Universities play a pivotal role in driving this growth. With recent university equity stakes in tech spinouts being at a 10-year low, academic founders are more incentivised than ever to launch promising computer technology companies. This financially-driven shift in direction could further accelerate the UK’s contributions to computer technology innovation and patent filings in the years ahead.
The growth in computing and software patents is an indicator that Europe – including the UK – is not only keeping pace with global digital trends, but also playing a key role in shaping the future of computing technology. With the continued use of European patents and the Unitary Patent system, along with growing engagement from SMEs and universities, Europe’s innovation engine – particularly in computing technology – is well-positioned to remain resilient.
Here at Barker Brettell, we have experienced IP attorneys on hand, including European and UK patent attorneys, who can guide you on computing and software matters. If you would like to more information, please contact the author or your usual Barker Brettell representative.
