Market success for inventions - Patent Commercialisation Scoreboard: European SMEs (Key findings)

This European Patent Office study covers the ability of European small and medium-sized enterprises to bring inventions covered by European patents to market. The study shows that SMEs typically rely on European patents to protect high-potential inventions. Up to two thirds of these inventions are commercially exploited – around half exclusively by an SME itself and half with a partner, usually from another European country. European patents make this process much easier by providing protection in up to 44 different national markets. By analysing the patent commercialisation practices of European SMEs, the study offers policymakers valuable insights into the challenges facing these key players in European innovation ecosystems.

The study is the first of a series of scoreboards dedicated to the market success of European patents.  See the full report here: https://www.epo.org/service-support/publications.html#tab1

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Scaling up innovation
European patents are not just for big industry applicants.
In 2018, small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs were behind one in every five patent applications filed at the EPO by applicants based in Europe.

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