Patent record 2025: China storms into European top 3 and drives AI race

For the first time in the history of the European Patent Office (EPO), the number of annual applications has exceeded the 200,000 mark. As the "Technology Dashboard 2025" index, published on Tuesday, shows, the number of submissions rose to a record 201,974 last year.

This corresponds to an increase of 1.4 percent. The USA maintained its top position as the country of origin. However, the Far East is catching up rapidly: China increased its applications by 9.7 percent, displacing Japan from third place for the first time in the global ranking.

The Asian rise is reflected in the technological trends. Computer technology remains the leading field with an increase of 6.1 percent, largely driven by innovations in AI (+9.5 percent) and quantum technology (+37.9 percent). Digital communication also saw a strong growth spurt among the top sectors with a jump of 11.4 percent, primarily due to the global race for 6G technology. In this dynamic environment, corporations such as Samsung, Huawei, and LG solidified their positions as the three most active patent applicants worldwide.

Germany holds its ground

Despite enormous pressure from Asia, Germany is holding its own as the engine of patent activities in Europe, which are often used as an innovation index. The Federal Republic ranks second globally and is number one within the 39 member states of the European Patent Organisation (EPO). Although German applications slightly decreased by 2.2 percent compared to the previous year, domestic companies showed strength in future-critical niches. For instance, the growth of German patent applications in computer technology, at 10.3 percent, even surpassed the level of competitors from the USA and China.

With Siemens in sixth place and BASF in eighth, two German heavyweights are also among the global top 10 filers. Patents for software "as such" are not permitted in Europe, but the EPO has long found various circumvention strategies for this ban.

Within Germany, Munich defends its title as Europe's leading patent city. Another aspect of the new statistics concerns diversity: in 26 percent of European applications, at least one woman is named as an inventor, with Spain leading Europe with a quota of 42 percent.

Technological Sovereignty and Unitary Patent

EPO President António Campinos sees the index as proof of the attractiveness of the European market but urges vigilance. The overview helps political decision-makers to track progress and identify gaps in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, health, and AI to strengthen technological sovereignty. A ray of hope is the long-controversial Unitary Patent, finally introduced in 2023, which was already used for almost 29 percent of all granted industrial property rights in 2025. For small and medium-sized enterprises and universities, the rate is even over 48 percent.

Interest in this simplified protection system is also growing noticeably outside of Europe. Chinese patent holders in particular are increasingly relying on the Unitary Patent, with their usage rate climbing to 22.6 percent.

(vbr)