Overview
- Germany recorded 4,494 published patent applications in digital key technologies in 2024, a 6.6% increase from the previous year.
- The country remains fifth globally in digital technology patents, behind the USA, China, Japan, and South Korea.
- Patent filings from the USA and China in digital technologies dropped significantly in 2024, by 5.3% and 11.4% respectively.
- Germany's share of global digital technology patents has declined from 9.8% to 9.2% over the past five years, reflecting ongoing challenges in maintaining competitiveness.
- The DPMA President, Eva Schewior, has called for a 'catch-up race' to close the gap with global leaders in critical technology fields such as semiconductors and digital communication.