1. Total European Patent FilingsThe number of total European Filings, which includes direct European filings and entries in EP phase of PCT applications, rose for the second time in a row, after the decline in 2009 due to the crisis. While 2010 saw a rise of 11%, due to the economic recovery, in 2011 another increase of nearly 4% can be seen. Filing numbers are now at 244 437 for 2011.2. Direct European Patent FilingsIn 2011, 142 810 direct European patent applications were filed, a decrease of 8264 filings or 5.5% compared to 2010. The decline is explainable by the fact that in 2010 filing numbers were higher than usual. The reason is that new EPO regulation came into effect which requires applicants to file divisional applications in an early stage of prosecution.3. Granted PatentsBefore the EPO 131.024 patent cases were finished in 2011. This is a slight decrease over 2010 (136.700 cases finished), but still significantly higher than the 5-year average (124.464 cases finished). The grant rate lies at 47%. 31% were stopped during the examination stage and 22% of the applications abandoned after the search.4. Top ApplicantsThe top applicants are 1. SIEMENS, 2. PHILIPS, 3.SAMSUNG, 4.BASF, 5.LG GROUP, 6.QUALCOMM, 7. GENERAL ELECTRIC, 8. ROBERT BOSCH, 9. ERICSSON, 10.MITSUBISHIMore detailed information about statistics is available here.If you have questions with regard to the statistics, please contact Oliver Tischner.This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.   \n                        Une gestion optimale de votre portefeuille de droits de Propriété Intellectuelle passe par une stratégie clairement définie, adaptée aux besoins de votre entreprise et en phase avec le marché sur lequel elle évolue.                     \n                        LAVOIX protège les créations et innovations de ses clients.                     \n                        LAVOIX aide ses clients à surveiller l’activité PI (propriété industrielle) de leurs concurrents.                     \n                        Un titre de Propriété Intellectuelle constitue un actif immatériel primordial pour votre organisation en vous apportant la domination sur un marché donné et/ou en vous assurant une rentabilité continue.                     \n                        Titulaire de droits de Propriété Intellectuelle, il est parfois nécessaire de défendre vos intérêts face aux droits de vos concurrents.                     