Düsseldorf, April 22, 2024 – The industrial and scientific communities have significantly stepped up their innovation activities in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years. This observation was made by the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) in a recent statistical analysis. It found that last year 40 percent more patent applications with an impact on Germany were published in technology categories with a strong link to AI than five years ago.
In an international comparison, however, Germany remains behind the USA: almost one third (32.4 percent) of all patent applications published in 2023 came from companies or research institutions in the United States. Germany accounted for 17.1 percent and Japan 12.4 percent. “Measured by patent applications, German companies enjoy a comparatively good position in their domestic market,” said DPMA President Eva Schewior in March 2024 at the DPMAnutzerforum 2024 (DPMA User Forum). China saw the strongest growth, with the number of applications published in 2023 15 percent higher than in 2022. German patent applications increased by 5.2 percent in the same period.
There are no specific patent classes for AI. The DPMA experts therefore analyzed the classes from fields of technology in which AI is used, including computer, medical, and automotive engineering, robotics, and speech and image analysis. The study looked at patent applications with an impact on Germany that were filed with the DPMA or the European Patent Office (EPO). Patents registered with both authorities were excluded.
“The field of AI is developing at a rapid pace worldwide. For Germany to remain internationally competitive, we need to invest even more in innovation and its protection,” says Hendrik Bücker, patent attorney and partner at Cohausz & Florack.
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