This ranking shows the largest applicants1 at the EPO, indicating their country of origin2.
This ranking shows the largest applicants1 at the EPO (first-named applicant principle). It indicates the total number of European applications filed with the EPO for each and the split between direct European applications (Direct) and international (PCT) applications that entered the European phase (PCT regional) during the reporting period.
A breakdown of applications originating from European countries shows that 73% of them were filed by large companies, 20% by SMEs and individual inventors, and 7% by universities and public research organisations. This shows that a significant proportion of applicants at the EPO are smaller entities.
| 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Large enterprises | 73% |
| SMEs2, individual inventors | 20% |
| Universities and public research organisations3 | 7% |
