Number of the month: 727.9 billion US dollars on intangible assets
In 2025, private and public sector organisations in Germany invested 727.9 billion US dollars (around 640 billion euros) in intangible assets, including research and development, software, databases, and brands and designs. Among the economies examined in the study, this figure was higher only in the United States and Japan. The figures show that ideas, knowledge and innovation are key factors for competitiveness. Read more in our press release dated 8 July 2026.
More numbers of the month
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72 per cent of consumers are willing to pay more for good design
Number of the month June 2026
Good design influences purchasing decisions. In the EU, 72 per cent of consumers are willing to pay a higher price for better-designed products. In Germany, this figure stands at 70 per cent. The results of a recent survey by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) highlight the economic value of design – and how important effective design protection is for innovation and competitiveness.
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Number of the month: 909,659 national trade marks in Germany
Number of the month May 2026
The number of trade marks registered with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office has reached a new high. By the end of 2025, a total of 909,659 national trade marks had been registered and were in force. This represents a 1.3 per cent increase compared with the previous year. This trend is also continuing in the long term: over the past ten years, the register has grown by around 13 per cent. This development highlights the enduring importance of trade marks for businesses of all sizes. Trade marks ensure recognition, build trust and strengthen competitiveness in the market.
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479 published patent applications for sports and fitness equipment
Number of the month April 2026
Just in time for World Intellectual Property Day on 26 April: strength training is all the rage – and so are inventions in this field. A total of 479 patent applications for sports and training equipment (patent classes A63B and A63C) were published last year with effect for Germany. 93 of these relate to strength training equipment (main group A63B/21), the number of which has roughly doubled over the last 20 years.
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170 patent applications per day
Number of the month March 2026
Around 170 patent applications per day were filed with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) in 2025. In total, there were around 62,000 patent applications, of which approximately 42,000 were from within Germany. In mathematical terms, this equates to one application every 8.5 minutes – a strong indication of the country's innovative strength.
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211 applications for geographical indications for agricultural products
Number of the month January 2026
211 applications for geographical indications for agricultural products
Over time, the DPMA has processed a total of 211 applications with geographical indications for agricultural products. The EU database eAmbrosia currently lists 97 geographical indications for Germany. With the new responsibility for craft and industrial products, all eyes are now eagerly awaiting the first application in this area.