The group was the largest patent applicant in Germany last year.
(Photo: dpa)
Munich German companies again registered fewer inventions at the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA) last year. “The structural change in the innovation landscape is picking up speed,” said DPMA President Eva Schewior.
This also reflects the changed role of German industry. While mechanical engineering used to dominate with engine development, digitization, automation and artificial intelligence as well as battery technology played an increasingly important role. “In terms of the number of patent applications, this development is not exactly working in Germany’s favour,” said Schewior.
Overall, the German Patent Office recorded a drop in applications of a good two percent to 57,214 filings last year. For comparison: In 2018 there were still 67,905, since then the number has fallen continuously. The experts also attribute this to the corona crisis.
The possible end for the combustion engine is having an effect
However, registrations from abroad rose by seven percent, while those from Germany fell by almost seven percent. There were fewer registrations in mechanical engineering and the automotive industry with combustion engines, where German companies are traditionally well represented. Applications for engines, pumps and turbines fell by 17.9 percent.
This is probably also due to the looming end of the combustion engine. From 2025, the Euro 7 emission standard will also apply in Europe. All new cars with petrol or diesel engines will then have to comply with strict specifications for the emission of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide or ammonia.
The ban on new cars with internal combustion engines planned in the EU from 2035 is still controversial in the federal government. The FDP advocates synthetic fuels. Car manufacturers like BMW want to invest in petrol and diesel for longer, as the Handelsblatt reported. Nevertheless, innovations in the field of combustion engines are likely to continue to decline in the industry in the coming years.
Bosch is ahead of BMW and ZF Friedrichshafen
In electrical engineering, the situation is completely different. The share of innovations from the segment in all patent applications has increased from 21.7 to 29 percent since 2016. However, the strongest applicants were still car manufacturers and suppliers. Among the German companies, Bosch ranked first with 3,946 inventions submitted, followed by BMW and ZF Friedrichshafen.
As in the previous year, Baden-Württemberg leads the list of federal states with 13,444 inventions submitted. The distance to second-placed Bavaria with 10,548 patent applications increased.
In addition to the DPMA, there is also the European Patent Office. According to patent experts, the DPMA property right is cheaper, but only extends to Germany. It is also possible to register with both authorities at the same time.
More: BMW intends to continue investing in petrol and diesel