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Independent inventors: "An important part of our innovation landscape"

Airbag, expansion plug, car wash: innovations that originate from outside of companies or research facilities prove to be successful time and again. The German Patent and Trade Mark Office took a closer look at last year’s patent applications from this category.

Press release of 24 October 2024
Munich. The majority of them are mechanical engineers, they are often from Bavaria and there were slightly more women among them in 2023 than in the previous year: We´re describing independent inventors in Germany. In a recent study, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) took a closer look at the patents this group filed last year. It analysed which German Bundesland an invention originated from, which technology sector it can be attributed to and whether the inventor was female or male. In total, the DPMA registered 1,835 patent applications by independent inventors – just like last year, this number has declined again (-9.2%).

“Independent inventors are responsible for many significant innovations“, Eva Schewior, President of the DPMA, said. „And even though their total number is decreasing, independent inventors are an important part of our innovation landscape. Every creative mind is an enrichment.“ The DPMA conducted the study on the occasion of this year’s iENA trade fair that will take place in Nuremberg from 26 to 28 October.

Most applications in mechanical engineering

In 2023, out of 1,835 applications that were not associated with a company or an institution, 40.9% could be attributed to the mechanical engineering sector. This makes it the technology sector with the most applications (as is also the case for the total number of applications filed with the DPMA). 23.8% were categorised as „Other fields“, which combines civil engineering, furniture, games and other consumer goods. 12.9% were allocated to the sector “electrical engineering”, 12.0% to “instruments” and 9.9% to “chemistry”. Around a quarter of applications by independent inventors came from Bavaria (470), followed by North Rhine-Westphalia (363) and Baden-Württemberg (307). The analysis also showed that the percentage of female inventors has risen slightly from 7.6% in 2022 to 8.7%.

The DPMA considers applications filed by independent inventors to be applications where the same person is named as applicant as well as inventor. In contrast, patent applications filed by companies and research facilities usually feature the relevant organisation, meaning the employer, as applicant. Last year, 5.1% of all applications from within Germany were filed by independent inventors (2022: 5.9%).

Over the last decades, independent inventors have time and again been very successful and have enhanced the life of many people: the first airbag, large-scale production of expansion plugs, soccer boots with screw-in studs and the first car wash were all filed for by their inventors on their own behalf.

Information and free initial consultations for inventors at the iENA

This year, at the international inventors’ trade fair iENA, the DPMA will once again provide information on patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. At the three-day trade fair experts from the DPMA will be available to answer IP questions at its exhibition booth (hall 10.0, booth A 01). Furthermore, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action will give guidance on funding opportunities, amongst other topics. Experts from the European Patent Office and the Bayern Innovativ GmbH will also be on site to offer advice. In addition, patent attorneys will provide free initial consultations for inventors. Please visit the DPMA exhibition booth to make an appointment for such a consultation.

The German Patent and Trade Mark Office

Inventiveness and creativity need effective protection. The DPMA is the German centre of expertise for all intellectual property rights – patents, utility models, trade marks and designs. As the largest national patent office in Europe and the fifth largest national patent office in the world, our office stands for the future of Germany as a country of inventors in a globalised economy. Its staff of just under 2,800 at three locations – Munich, Jena and Berlin – provide services to inventors and companies. They implement federal innovation strategies and develop the national, European and international protection systems.

Bilder: : iStock.com/drafter123

Last updated: 24 October 2024