Content

Statistics around patents, trademarks and Co.

Number of the month: At least one in eight patent applications in Germany has foreign roots

At least one in eight patent applications from Germany is entirely attributable to inventors with foreign roots. This contribution has increased significantly over the years. According to a study by the IW Cologne, Germany's innovative strength would otherwise have actually declined in recent years. Read more in the interview with Dr Oliver Koppel from IW Cologne in our digital annual report 2022.

More numbers of the month

+7.4 percent

Number of the month July 2023
880,538 national trademarks in force

At the end of 2022, there were 880,538 trademarks in the register. Compared to 2016 (804,800), the number of trademarks increased by 9.4 percent.

Digital annual report 2022

+7.4 percent

Number of the month June 2023
+7.4 percent published applications for the German market in digital technologies 2022

Compared to the previous year, 2022 saw a significant overall increase (+7.4%) in published digital technology applications for the German market. Of the fields of technology under review, it was computer technology that accounted for most applications. In the international ranking for this field, the United States were far ahead of China and Germany. Compared to the previous year, there was a considerable increase in published patent applications from the United States (6,789 applications; +14.3%) and China (2,298 applications; +13.6%), whereas the number of published patent applications from Germany (1,794 applications; -1.9%) even decreased. This means that German companies are increasingly falling behind their domestic market in terms of patent applications in digital technologies. Computer technology includes inventions relating to image data processing, speech recognition and information and communication technology. Many of these innovations use artificial intelligence or machine learning.

Press release of June 21, 2023

Zahl 1.625 auf Europafahne

Number of the month May 2023
1,625 pan-European registrations for agricultural products and foodstuffs

"United in diversity" has been the motto of the European Union since 2000. It expresses that Europeans want to work together for peace and prosperity, and that at the same time the many different European languages, cultures and traditions enrich the entire continent. These include, for example, regional specialties in agricultural products and foodstuffs, such as "Nuremberg gingerbread", "Spreewald gherkins" or "Prosciutto di Parma". A total of 1,625 protected geographical indications are registered for this sector, 95 of which are from Germany alone (data as of May 15, 2023).

geographical indications

Zahl 1.625 auf Europafahne

Number of the month May 2023
1,625 pan-European registrations for agricultural products and foodstuffs

"United in diversity" has been the motto of the European Union since 2000. It expresses that Europeans want to work together for peace and prosperity, and that at the same time the many different European languages, cultures and traditions enrich the entire continent. These include, for example, regional specialties in agricultural products and foodstuffs, such as "Nuremberg gingerbread", "Spreewald gherkins" or "Prosciutto di Parma". A total of 1,625 protected geographical indications are registered for this sector, 95 of which are from Germany alone (data as of May 15, 2023).

geographical indications

Number of the month April 2023
Only 7.6 percent of patent applications filed by female inventors

The contribution of women to the innovative capacity in Germany is growing – yet the share of women inventors continues to be small. Ten years ago, in Germany, 6.0 % of the persons designated as inventors in published patent applications were women. Last year, the share was 7.6%.

April 25, 2023 press release

Number of the month March 2023
Plus 11.7 percent published patent grants

Last year, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) once again proved to be very efficient. The examiners of the DPMA granted patents for 23,592 inventions. This means that the number of patent grants increased by 11.7% compared to the previous year, reaching its highest level in more than 30 years.

March 9, 2023 press release

Number of the month February 2023
We say "thank you" to more than 5,500 followers on LinkedIn

One year ago, our LinkedIn presence went online with information on industrial property rights, news from the office and job advertisements. One year DPMA on LikedIn - that is in figures: 366 postings, 204 comments under our posts, 448 shares of our posts and 180 replies on our part. Now - at the end of February 2023, we say "thank you" to 5,500 followers and are looking forward to further exchanges with you. Not following us yet? Then feel free to subscribe to us.

LinkedIn

Number of the month January 2023
Germany leading Europe in hydrogen-related patents

Germany leads Europe in hydrogen-related patents. This is the result of a joint study by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the report, the member states of the EU as well as Japan lead the way in patenting hydrogen, accounting for 28% and 24% respectively of all international patent families filed from 2011 to 2020. Within the EU, Germany leads (11%), followed by France (6%) and the Netherlands (3%). Read more on the .

EPO website (studies)

Pictures: DPMA

Last updated: 18 August 2023