European Patent Office, Munich, 12 March 2019, Annual Report 2018
The annual report was accompanied by a press release, stating:
Munich, 12 March 2019 – UK businesses again continued to file a growing number of patent applications with the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2018.
Published today, the EPO’s Annual Report 2018 shows that with 5 736 patent applications, the UK posted an increase of 7.8%, the fifth consecutive year of growth, the strongest since 2010, and above the average growth of 3.8% exhibited by the 38 EPO member states. (Fig. Growth of UK patent applications at the EPO).
This was mainly attributable to double-digit increases in the computer technology, consumer goods, organic fine chemistry and pharmaceuticals sectors. The UK ranks ninth among the top 50 filing countries at the EPO with a 3% share of total European patent applications (Fig. Origin of applications). The number of European patents granted by the EPO to British companies and inventors also rose by 22.8% to 3 827.
The full press release can be read here.
The annual report can be read here.