Ireland's innovative prowess underscored in latest report by IPOI

The Intellectual Property Office of Ireland (IPOI) has recently released its annual report for 2024, showcasing a vibrant and growing intellectual property (IP) landscape in the Emerald Isle.

Ireland's participation in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) system is pending, with a constitutional referendum on the issue of ratification of the UPC Agreement yet to take place. Despite this, Irish businesses showed a significant surge in European patent and unitary patent applications in 2024.

The IPOI reported a 31% increase in national patent applications, rising from 589 in 2023 to 774 in 2024. This growth is largely attributed to a continued influx of applications from both Irish and overseas businesses. Ireland ranks 11th in Europe for patent applications per million inhabitants, and has risen to 19th place in WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2024.

Ireland's top patent applicants include Aptiv Plc, GH Research Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, and University College Dublin. The leading technology fields in Ireland are medtech (27.4%), computer technology (11.2%), and pharmaceuticals (8.9%).

A search co-operation agreement between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the IPOI was announced last month. This agreement offers applicants a comprehensive search report and written opinion on the patentability of their inventions, with a substantial 80% discount on search fees for qualifying applicants.

The IPOI also announced the appointment of an additional patent examiner to increase examination capacity and reinforce its commitment to digital transformation. However, there is no information available on the hiring of a specific person as a patent examiner in 2025.

The growth in applications is not just limited to national patents. Ireland filed 1,118 European patent applications by Irish resident companies, a 4% increase compared to 2023. A total of 194,693 European patents were designated Ireland, reinforcing the country's strategic importance in the broader European IP framework.

In the realm of Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs), applications saw an 18% increase. Ireland ranks first globally in both ICT services exports and intellectual property payments. The country also holds the top spot globally in terms of intangible asset intensity.

The surge in patent applications from Irish businesses is a testament to the nation's growing innovation and technological prowess. As Ireland continues to move forward in the realm of intellectual property, it remains a beacon of innovation in Europe and beyond.