Your Majesty,
President Radev,
Chancellor Scholz,
Ministers,
Mr. Campinos,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Hello to Munich, and hello to The Hague!
Allow me to join the warm birthday congratulations from Brussels. The signature of the European Patent Convention 50 years ago represented a breakthrough in European integration. And today, the legal protection of innovation is a key pillar of Europe’s competitiveness. Intellectual property rights incentivise research and innovation. They protect the investment in knowledge. But the European Patent Office does so much more. It simplifies and accelerates the patenting process across Europe. It fosters collaboration among inventors, researchers and business. It encourages cross-border economic integration. And it incentivises more innovation that is ‘made in Europe’.
In our times, innovation could not be more important. The European Union has set itself the mission to be climate neutral before 2050. The success of the green transition also hinges on the development and implementation of efficient and sustainable technology solutions. The good news is that Europeans are also more innovative than ever. Last year, we witnessed an all-time high for patent filings – with over 193,000 patent applications at the EPO, up some 2.5% compared to 2021. Many of these patents are in sectors that are crucial for sustainable innovation. For example, in hydrogen, the fuel of tomorrow. Here, EU countries are world leaders. In the last decade, we filed 1 in 4 hydrogen-related patents worldwide.
Sustainable innovation is not just good for the planet. It also translates into a stronger economy, and better wages for European workers. Patent-intensive industries account for almost half of EU GDP, and over 90% of all EU exports. They also generate almost 4 in 10 jobs in the EU. But that’s not all. Patent-intensive industries pay significantly higher wages than other industries. In fact, they pay over 40% higher wages on average. Simply because workers are that much more productive. So, it’s only fitting that the anniversary of the European Patent Convention coincides with the 30th birthday of the European Single Market. Patents and competitiveness are two sides of the same coin.
Therefore, it is excellent that the European Commission and the EPO work so closely together. And there is no better example of our outstanding cooperation than the Unitary Patent system. Since it entered into force earlier this summer, inventors need only to apply once. The granted patent will be valid across the 17 participating states. Not only does this save significant costs, in money and time, for the inventor. The whole economy benefits. Simulations suggest that the Unitary Patent system could generate nearly 2 billion euros in additional foreign direct investment into the EU. Businesses in Europe can finally begin to benefit from a single market for technology. I am sure: once companies experience those benefits, they will press to widen the Unitary Patent system to the whole EU.
This is especially important for small and medium-sized enterprises. Our new SME Fund supports them with vouchers for patent applications, whether national or European. And I’m proud that we have recently extended the same support to innovative Ukrainian SMEs.
So, on the road to 2050, let us build on over five decades of cross-border European integration and innovation. Let us mobilise our shared scientific and entrepreneurial spirit. Because this is Europe’s greatest strength and biggest asset.
Thank you very much. And happy Birthday!