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Patenting 2012

The number of patents applied for in Finland in 2012 increased from the year before. A total of 1,825 patent applications were made, of which the number of domestic applications grew, while the number of foreign applications remained unchanged.

Figure 1. Patent applications filed in Finland by IPC section, 2012

The number of patent applications made by both Finnish enterprises and private persons increased from the previous year in 2012. Most applications on behalf of enterprises and associations were filed in the metal and engineering industry, 365 applications by 118 enterprises. A majority of domestic patent applications were filed in Uusimaa with a 37 per cent share.

In 2012, a total of 835 patents were granted in Finland to domestic and foreign applicants. The number of granted patents decreased only slightly from 2011 (846). A majority of the granted patents, 704, were granted to Finnish enterprises and private persons. In all, 131 patents were granted abroad, of which more than one-half were directed at the United States and Germany.

In 2012, fewer patents were granted to enterprises in Finland than in the year before, 631. Just like in 2011, most patents were granted to the metal industry. A majority of the patents granted in Finland were directed at performing operations and transporting, while most foreign patents were granted to the section of mechanical engineering.

Figure 2. Patents granted in Finland by IPC section, 2012

In 2012, European patents that came into effect in Finland numbered 5,252, of which most were granted in the sections of chemistry and metallurgy, as well as human necessities. The main holder countries of European patents were the United States, Germany and Switzerland.

Figure 3. Patents granted and validated in Finland, 2002–2012

Figure 4. Selected countries shares of European patents validated in Finland, 2011 and 2012

Finnish enterprises or associations received 656 patents through the European Patents Office (EPO), while the number of granted patents grew by close on one hundred compared to the previous year. Patents were granted to 173 different enterprises or associations and the number of enterprises grew by 32 per cent from 2011.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) also granted more patents to Finnish enterprises and associations in 2012 than in 2011, a total of 1,177. The number of enterprises that received patents grew by some 20 per cent from 2011, to 205. Most patents were granted to activities in the metal industry and electronics industry.

A total of 474 utility design applications were made in 2012, of which 444 applications were made by Finnish applicants. Most utility design applications were made in the sections of fixed constructions and human necessities. The industry that made the highest number of utility design applications was the metal industry.

The utility design applications made by enterprises remained at the 2011 level with 271 applications. There was no major change in utility design applications made by private persons either, as the number amounted to 173 in 2012.

Figure 5. Utility model applications filed in Finland by IPC section, 2012

Source: Patenting 2012. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Heidi Pirkola 09 1734 3246, Mervi Niemi 09 1734 3263, tiede.teknologia@stat.fi

Director in charge: Hannele Orjala

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Updated 31.10.2013