Philips and its subsidiaries lead in Dutch patent applications

“Dutch Patent Applications Rise by 3.5% in 2023, Led by Medical Technology Sector”

Patent Applications Surge in the Netherlands

It’s no secret that the Netherlands has been a hotbed of innovation and creativity, and the latest figures from the European Patent Office (EPO) only serve to underscore this fact. In 2023, the EPO received a whopping 7,033 patent applications from the Netherlands, marking a 3.5% increase from the previous year. This growth rate outpaces the EU average of 1.5%, demonstrating the Netherlands’ robust commitment to innovation.

Medical Technology Leads the Charge

Interestingly, the medical technology sector emerged as the biggest contributor to Dutch patent applications. This is hardly surprising, considering the country’s strong focus on healthcare innovation. The region of Noord Brabant took the lead, contributing over half of the Dutch total.

Philips: A Powerhouse of Innovation

Philips, the multinational conglomerate that has successfully pivoted to become a medical technology firm, was a significant player in this surge. The company, which conducts much of its R&D in Eindhoven, the capital of Noord-Brabant, filed an impressive 299 patents in 2023 alone. This puts Philips in the ninth position worldwide in terms of patent applications.

But Philips wasn’t the only Dutch company making waves. Signify, a spin-off from Philips’ lighting division, was second on the list, followed by aerospace group Airbus and chip machinery maker ASML – a company born out of a joint venture between ASM and Philips.

Patent Dominance: Not Unique to the Netherlands

According to Victor Veefkind, the patent office’s examiner for the Netherlands, it’s not uncommon for one company to dominate the patent landscape, especially in smaller countries. The Netherlands also performed well in the realm of chemical patents, thanks to the contributions of Unilever and DSM. Despite Unilever’s recent move to London, the EPO still counts its innovations as Dutch, as they are attributed to the country where the inventor resides.

Women Inventors Making Their Mark

The EPO report also shed light on the role of women inventors, revealing that 27% of patent applications included at least one woman on the list. In the Netherlands, this figure was even higher at 31%, putting it on par with France, Belgium, and Finland, but trailing behind Spain’s impressive 46%.

Veefkind notes that while the Netherlands is currently above the European average, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue. He attributes the recent increase in part to the growth in the chemicals sector, where women are better represented than in electronics and heavy engineering. Only time will tell if this is a permanent shift or a reflection of the trends of 2023.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Netherlands continues to be a strong player in the European patent landscape, with a particular strength in medical technology. The country’s commitment to innovation, coupled with the significant contributions of companies like Philips, Signify, and Unilever, have helped it maintain a strong position in the European rankings. As we look to the future, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and what new innovations Dutch inventors will bring to the table.

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