#PatentsMatter4EU

IP rights are the key ingredient behind much of that tasty tech you know and love, allowing both small and large companies to innovate.

Standing on the shoulders of giants: Standards, like 5G, provide the foundation for the disruptive technologies building Europe’s smarter tomorrow.

Small but mighty! Patents essential to standards like WiFi and 5G enable a vast €4.3T economy. Patents are the silent architects of Europe’s innovative tomorrow.

From AI to zero-emission vehicles, the European innovation economy runs on patents.

The European Union’s technology ambitions, ranging from autonomy to the Green Transition, will only be achievable if the fruits of European inventors are respected through the protection of their property rights.

Patents grant the inventor the opportunity to compete in the market. They are not a guarantee of success but a guarantee that, if the technology is successful, the patent holder can get a return on their investment.

Brain Gain: Patents help to attract and retain the brilliant minds behind Europe’s most innovative products: each year, IPR-intensive industries employ some 30% of the European workforce, generating nearly half of EU GDP, a staggering €6.6 trillion.

IPR: Where ideas meet job creation! 🌍 EPO & EUIPO data highlights that from 2017-19 IPR-rich industries created over 61 million EU jobs. Intellectual Property Rights are more than legal tools; they’re a career catalyst!

With 474 million unique mobile subscribers, the European mobile sector is a cornerstone of the economy and society, supporting an impressive 2.6 million jobs and generating €109 billion which helps to fund essential services. This underlines the integral role of mobile technology in shaping Europe’s economic landscape.

Protect to grow: While SMEs represent 99% of all EU businesses, only 10% capitalize on the growth potential created by IP rights, like patents or trademarks. But SMEs that rely on IP rights see a nearly 70% revenue spike!

Good ideas need protecting: Innovative SMEs require strong IP rights if they are to turn their R&D ventures into valuable returns.

Standards like 4G and 5G enable Europe’s SMEs to go toe-to-toe with industry giants, giving rise to disruptive innovations that benefit us all.

Cellular standards, from 2G to 5G, are key for Europe’s SMEs. Equal access to patented cellular technology allows SMEs a seat at the global innovation table and to compete on a fair basis.

Connected cars, silent innovation: From navigation and infotainment technologies to real-time safety warnings, the underlying patents are the foundation on which the future of mobility is built. Thanks to IP rights, technology developers can continue to invest in the future while helping to generate nearly $500 billion in 2023.

A smartphone on wheels: thanks to connectivity created through patented technologies, cars are undergoing a profound transformation, ushering in a groundbreaking era of mobility.

Connected cars, silent innovation: consumers see real value in cutting-edge connected car offering, with one study indicating that 40% of consumers would jump to another car brand for better connectivity services.

Car connectivity is revolutionizing driving, preventing thousands of accidents and lost lives while avoiding billions in damages.

Connected cars, silent innovation: Boosted by IP rights, European connectivity inventors have paved the way for the Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) era, enabling autonomous communication between road infrastructure, pedestrians, other vehicles, and the network.

5G wasn’t built in a day. Each generation of cellular standards, from creaking 1G to blazing-fast 5G, takes around ten years from initial R&D to launch, this is a long-term commitment requiring very significant up-front investment.

A fair and reasonable compensation in a timely manner (by licensing their IPR) allows innovators to invest in the next generation of the standard, completing the virtuous cycle of innovation.

FRAND is a friend to innovators and a true ally in fair play. It ensures access to groundbreaking technologies and reasonable compensation for access to IPR. This enables inventors to fuel future innovation and set new standards, while implementers can enter even a global market from day one and compete in offering the best solutions.

The successive waves of cellular connectivity have reverberated around the globe. With 5.2 billion unique mobile subscribers worldwide, the mobile ecosystem employs some 30 million people directly and indirectly, contributing $4.1 trillion to GDP.

Cellular connectivity is only possible thanks to massive investment in R&D, which is generally protected by IPR and licensed on fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms and conditions.

Behind every cellular connection lies a world of innovation! Massive R&D investments make it happen, safeguarded by key IPR licensed on fair, reasonable, non-discriminatory terms. A testament to #TechProgress and #FRAND commitment!

🌍🚀 Europe's Edge in the Global Innovation Race: The Power of Intellectual Property Rights

In today's fast-paced world of technological advancement, Europe continues to hold a pivotal position, with intellectual property (IP) rights motivating its homegrown inventors and investors, attracting global talent and catalysing innovation.

📈 Economic Contribution: Studies show that IPR-intensive industries account for approximately 45% of the European Union's total GDP, reflecting the immense economic impact of protected innovation.

🌏 Global Competitiveness: With over 190,000 patent applications filed in 2022 alone, Europe stands strong in the global innovation landscape.

👥 Employment Growth: IPR-intensive industries in Europe employ over 60 million people, indicating how IP rights not only foster innovation but also create growth and job opportunities.

🌱 Start-up Support: IP protection is vital for startups, safeguarding their innovations and enhancing their viability in a competitive market. As the EU explains, SMEs are the “backbone” of Europe’s economy, representing 99% of EU businesses.

🔄 International Trade: Accounting for most of the EU’s international trade, IPR-intensive industries generate a trade surplus of €224 billion and help ensure that European inventors can compete effectively in global markets.

🔍 Attracting Investment: Trustworthy IP rights attract foreign direct investment and are crucial for cross-border collaboration and tech advancement.

📚 IP rights benefit universities and research institutions by translating academic research into commercial opportunities.

🔑 The Takeaway: As Europe strides towards a future shaped by innovative technologies, the role of IP rights remains fundamental in nurturing an innovation ecosystem where invention thrives, economies grow and societies advance.