UK companies continue to invest in R&D
The number of patents filed at the European Patent Office (EPO) by UK companies rose by 4.8 per cent in 2014 to 6,823, a sign of sustained investment in research and development activity according to Withers & Rogers.
The IP law firm said the increase is greater than the 3.1 per cent overall growth in filings at the EPO in 2014 and above the 1.2 per cent average across the 38 EPO member states.
The strongest growth in filings at the EPO last year came from China (up 18.2 per cent on the previous year) and the US (up 6.8 per cent on the previous year).
In a statement, Karl Barnfather, chairman of Withers & Rogers, said: ’These figures make positive reading for the UK and due to the time it takes for research and development activity to translate into patent filings, the growth in filings last year is indicative of sustained investment in innovation over the last couple of years.
‘It is also possible that the tax relief offered by Patent Box in the UK is providing further encouragement to file. Additionally, the soon to be introduced Unitary Patent providing patent protection across a large part of Europe may be an incentive for increased filings.
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