As it does every year, the Italian Patent and Trademark Office (UIBM) has published its Annual Report on Patent Activities, which compiles data and statistics regarding patent applications received.
In 2024, the UIBM received 12,242 Italian patent applications. Specifically, applications for industrial inventions totaled 10,148 (82.89% of the total), representing a 7.4% increase compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, applications for utility models were 1,830, a slight decrease of 1.1% compared to 2023.
The report also provides a focus on the Italian regions from which industrial invention patent applications originate. Lombardy confirmed its leading position in the number of applications, accounting for 20.13%, followed by Emilia-Romagna (17.8%), Veneto (13.47%), and Piedmont (11.35%).
International PCT Patent Applications: Growing Interest in Italy
Growth was also recorded for requests to open the Italian national phase from international patent applications (PCT – Patent Cooperation Treaty), which increased by 14% in 2024, reaching 251 filings (compared to 220 in 2023). This included 199 applications for industrial inventions (+10.6% compared to 2023) and 52 applications for utility models (+30% compared to 2023). This is a positive sign, indicating growing interest in Italy and the Italian market from foreign entities and companies, particularly from China, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.
Overall, the total number of patent filings received by the UIBM in 2024 was 33,499, a decrease of 5.5% compared to the previous year. It’s interesting to note that 62.15% of all patent filings received by the UIBM are represented by validations of European patents, totaling 20,821, which saw a 12% decrease compared to 2023.
As the UIBM report clarifies, this decline is solely due to the entry into force of the Unitary Patent, which allows a single application to obtain patent protection in the EU Member States that have ratified the Agreement on the Unified Patent Court (UPC) – including Italy – eliminating the need for validation at national offices.
In summary, the data shows a growing trend for innovation in Italy, evidenced by a significant increase in national patent activity and also by growing interest from international companies in our country.
Giulia Tibo