European patent applications fall

The number of European patent applications filed in 2009 fell for the first time in 20 years. In 2009, the European Patent Office (EPO) received some 135 000 applications, 8% fewer than in 2008 (146 600). The drop in the number of filings from outside the 36 member states of the European Patent Organisation was sharper (-11%) than in filings from European countries (-5%). At 52 000, the number of patents granted was also lower than in 2008 (59 800, -13%).

EPO: Annual Report 2009 http://www.epo.org/topics/news/2010/20100426.html

EPO: Press Release, 27.4.10: Fewer European patent applications filed in 2009 http://www.epo.org/about-us/press/releases/archive/2010/20100427.html

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