MUNICH - By the end of 2021, 91% of the 16.4 million patents that were in force worldwide were valid in at least one of the jurisdictions of the world’s five largest IP offices (IP5). This is according to the latest IP5 Statistics Report published on the IP5 website, clearly demonstrating the prominent role played by the IP5, a press release stated by the European Patent Office (EPO).

The report is an annual compilation of patent statistics published by the EPO, Japan Patent Office (JPO), Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) and United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). 

Worldwide patenting activity in 2021 

3.4 million patent applications were filed worldwide, either as direct national, direct regional or international phase PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) applications. Of these, 93% originated from IP5 jurisdictions.  
77% of worldwide patent applications were filed as direct national applications. The proportion of applications filed via the PCT increased by one percentage point on the previous year. 

IP5 patenting activities in 2022 

• 2.9 million patent applications were filed at the IP5 offices. 
• Altogether, the IP5 granted over 1.5 million patents. 

The EPO saw demand for patents grow further in 2022. It received 193 460 European patent applications last year, an increase of 2.5% over 2021.  

In 2022, the EPO took several important steps to become a truly modern and sustainable IP office. Rebuilding after the pandemic, the EPO embraced new ways of working, pursued its major information technology (IT) transformation and renewed its focus on patent quality. It also ramped up its environmental, organizational, financial, and societal impact initiatives to maximize its positive impact on society.  

The IP5 Statistics Report 2022 includes developments at all the IP5 offices, detailed presentations of similarities and differences in IP5 patent grant procedures, as well as comprehensive worldwide data from WIPO and patent offices around the globe. This year, readers are also asked to complete a survey to help better tailor this report to their needs – please see the link below. 

The IP5 offices have been co-operating since 2007 to improve the efficiency and quality of the global patent system by delivering joint products and services. The EPO will publish its 2023 statistics (Patent Index 2023) in March 2024.