Today, innovation plays a decisive role in the economic growth and global competitiveness of nations. In this context, patent applications are regarded as a concrete indicator of technological progress and R&D investment. The 2024 Patent Index published by the European Patent Office (EPO) and current data on Turkey's international patent performance shed light on the innovation journeys of both Europe and Turkey. This article comparatively examines trends in patent applications across Europe and Turkey; the leading technology fields, the profiles of applicants and the effects of new patent systems are addressed in detail. The findings provide valuable input for shaping future strategies.
Patent Applications in Europe: 2024 Overview
A total of 199,264 patent applications were filed with the EPO in 2024, marking a slight decline of 0.1% compared to 2023.
While applications from EPO member states rose by 0.3%, applications from non-European countries fell by 0.4%.
In the distribution of applicants by country, the United States was the country filing the most applications.
Turkey's European Patent Performance
Patent applications from Turkey to the EPO fell from 618 in 2023 to 542 in 2024. This represents a decrease of 12.3%.
Notably, the decline in Turkey's applications is striking at a time when South Korea posted a 4.2% increase.
Trends in Technology Fields
In Europe, increases were observed in fields such as computer technology, electrical machinery and energy, while declines occurred in digital communication and medical technology. In Turkey, innovations stand out in areas such as image processing, coffee machine technologies and payment systems.
Applicant Profile
In Europe, 71% of applications came from large companies, while the contribution of SMEs and individual inventors was 22%. Among the companies filing the most applications in Turkey are Vestel, Arçelik, Aselsan and Tofaş.
The Unitary Patent System and Turkey
The Unitary Patent system, launched in 2023, has been rapidly adopted across Europe. The integration of Turkish companies into this system will create a competitive advantage in the European market.
For Turkey to improve its patent performance in Europe, it is important to increase R&D investment, support SMEs, raise patent awareness and encourage women inventors. Across Europe, the rise in clean energy and computer technologies is striking.