October 30, 2019

A joint report published by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has analysed the importance of IPRs for the EU economy between 2014 and 2016.

Key findings of the report include:

• industries that make intensive use of IPRs, such as patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright, generate 45% of GDP (EUR 6.6 trillion) in the EU annually and account for 63 million jobs (29% of all jobs);
• a further 21 million people are employed in sectors that supply these industries with goods and services;
• in the period under review, employment in IPR-intensive industries grew by 1.3 million jobs compared with 2011-13, while total employment in the EU declined slightly; and
• the value added per employee in these industries is higher than in the rest of the economy. Accordingly, IPR-intensive industries pay significantly higher wages: on average 47% more than other sectors, with the figure rising to 72% for patent-intensive industries.

The report is the third in a series that tracks the contribution of industries making an above-average use of trade marks, designs, patents, copyright, geographical indications and plant variety rights to economic growth and employment in the EU. To read the report, click here.