The aim of these articles is to keep our Clients and Associates updated about developments in the sector of Intellectual Property in general and our firm in particular. In this way, we wish to provide a broader view of the tools that the field of trade marks, domain names, patents, designs and related rights offers to entrepreneurs to enhance and protect their efforts in researching and developing new solutions and ideas.
2024 Witnessed A Year of Growth in National Patent Filings in Italy
Italy's innovation ecosystem demonstrated resilience and dynamism in 2024, as highlighted in the annual report by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM).
Here below is a diagram, published by the UIBM, of the percentages of national patent applications in 2024.
Of the total number of 12,242 national patent filings in Italy in 2024, the lion's share is made up of applications for industrial invention patents (10,148 marking an increase of 7.4% compared to 2023, which reflects a growing trend in innovation across various sectors), whereas utility model applications experienced a slight decline of 1.1%, totaling 1,830.
Lombardy ranks first among the regions of origin of Italian applicants. Other top applicant Italian regions are Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Piedmont.
Requests for PCT national phase entry in Italy in 2024 total 251, with an overall 14% increase compared to 2023.
Reported below are the numbers, provided by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, of the top applicants for PCT national phase entries as patent applications for industrial invention and as patent applications for utility model in Italy in 2024.
It is also worth noting that the number of requests for examination before UIBM of PCT international patent applications indicates a growing international interest in the Italian market by foreign companies, particularly from China, Switzerland, Germany and the United States.
The report further shows a drop in EP validations in Italy, primarily due to the introduction of the Unitary Effect for European Patents in June 2023.
Notwithstanding this reduction in EP validations, the data contained in the 2024 Patent Report published by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office indicate a positive outlook for Italy’s innovation landscape and reaffirms Italy’s role as a hub for technological innovation.