Intellectual property (IP) is not just a legal tool to protect intangibles: it is a structural economic engine for Europe. The latest joint report from the European Union Intellectual Property Office and the European Patent Office confirms that intellectual property rights-intensive sectors concentrate a large part of the continent's wealth creation, skilled employment, exports and technological investment. The study analyzes the period 2021–2023 and identifies 361 intellectual property rights intensive industries, responsible for almost 48% of EU GDP, more than 30% of employment and close to 80% of European foreign trade. In addition to attracting more than 88% of private equity and venture capital investments in the EU aimed at startups that make intensive use of IP. This data not only provides macroeconomic evidence. They also offer a strategic conclusion for companies: protecting innovation translates directly into competitiveness, funding, and growth. Next, we analyze the main conclusions of the report and their practical implications for technology, industrial, and creative companies. What are intellectual property-intensive industries? Industries that register a higher than average number of patents, trademarks, designs, or other rights per employee, compared to other industries that use intellectual property rights, are considered to be IP-intensive. Simply put: An industry is identified as intellectual property rights intensive in the EU if, for at least one of the intellectual property rights considered, the number of those rights per employee exceeds the average of all EU industries that use that same intellectual property right. These industries range from pharmaceuticals and electronics to software, fashion, food with geographical indications, and creative services. The report's premise is clear: when IP is used systematically, its economic impact multiplies. Key figures that explain the economic weight of IP The study offers compelling indicators regarding industries with intensive use of IP: They generated 30,6% of total EU employment (more than 65 million workers). 47,9% of European GDP was generated by these industries (7,7 trillion euros). 76,4% of imports and 78,3% of exports, generating a trade surplus of 108 billion euros, which helps to keep the EU's overall foreign trade balanced. Wage premium of 40,9%, significantly higher than other non-IP intensive sectors. 88% of venture capital and private equity investment went to startups operating in IP-intensive sectors. These figures demonstrate a direct correlation between the protection of intangible assets and value creation. These are not marginal sectors or technological niches, but the backbone of the European economy. Patents, trademarks, designs and copyright: how each right contributes. The economic contribution varies depending on the type of right used. The report breaks down different sector profiles. In addition to companies specializing in the leasing of intellectual property, some examples are detailed below, broken down by type of industrial property right. Patent-intensive industries: Manufacturing of hand-held power tools. Manufacturing of telecommunications equipment. Manufacturing of household appliances. Research and experimental development in biotechnology. Other experimental research and development in natural sciences and technology. Brand-intensive industries: Manufacture of other transport equipment (ncop, not elsewhere classified), such as handcarts; Production of other non-distilled beverages, derived from fermentation, such as vermouth. Collective investment, funds and similar financial entities Activities of holding companies Extraction of crude oil Research and experimental development in biotechnology. Industries intensive in industrial designs: Manufacture of other transport equipment (ncop), such as handcarts; Wholesale of furniture, carpets and lighting equipment. Manufacturing of electrical lighting equipment. Manufacture of jewelry and similar articles. Activities of intermediaries in the wholesale trade of furniture, household goods and hardware. Copyright-intensive industries: Printing, prepress and media preparation. Reproduction of recorded media. Retail sale of books, newspapers and stationery. Retail sale of music and video recordings. Video game. Industries intensive in Geographical Indications Dairy products Spirits Wine Beer Industries intensive in plant varieties Wholesale trade of flowers and plants. Research and experimental development in biotechnology. Wholesale trade of cereals, raw tobacco, seeds and animal feed. Other research and experimental developments in natural sciences and technology. Intellectual property and quality employment One of the most relevant results of the report is the wage premium. Workers in IP-intensive sectors receive, on average, 40,9% more remuneration than those in non-intensive sectors. This data has clear implications: higher professional qualifications, more stable jobs, greater productivity, and more investment in talent. Intellectual property not only generates business wealth, but also higher quality and more specialized employment. Exports and global value chains: IP-intensive sectors are notably more international. According to the report: three out of every four euros exported by the EU come from these sectors, which generate a trade surplus and concentrate greater integration into global value chains. This is explained by the fact that protected innovation facilitates: technological differentiation, barriers to entry, international licenses, and scalability of business models. IP as a signal for investors: venture capital and startups. One of the most innovative chapters of the study analyzes the relationship between IP intensity and business financing. The conclusion is clear: investors interpret intellectual property as a sign of quality and growth potential. More than 88% of European venture capital and private equity investment is directed towards startups in IP-intensive sectors. The reasons are clear: lower risk of copying, greater market exclusivity, transferable or licenseable assets, better valuation...Read more

Do you have an innovative idea and want to protect it legally? This guide explains everything you need to know about patents, both in Spain and internationally: what can be patented, steps for processing an invention, differences with other protection mechanisms such as utility models or industrial secrets, and much more. What is a patent and what is it used for? A patent is a technical-legal registration that provides exclusive rights in a jurisdiction over an invention. It allows the owner to prevent third parties from manufacturing, using, or selling their invention without authorization for a limited period of 20 years. Patents allow for the protection of technical solutions to specific problems: new products, procedures, devices, or uses. It is a key legal instrument for fostering innovation and protecting investment in technological development. Where can an invention be patented? It depends on the geographical area in which protection is desired. A patent is a right granted in a particular jurisdiction, with national (Spain, France, United States, China, etc.) or regional (Europe) registrations. What can and cannot be patented in Spain? For an invention to be patentable, it must meet three fundamental requirements: Novelty: it must not have been previously disclosed in the state of the art. Inventive step: degree of evidence for a person skilled in the art. Industrial application: that can be manufactured or potentially used in some industry. The following are not considered inventions and therefore cannot be protected by patent: Abstract ideas without technical development. Discoveries, scientific theories, mathematical algorithms themselves. Plans, rules and methods for games or economic-commercial activities Computer programs “as such”. Additionally, there are exceptions to patentability such as: Inventions that violate the moral or legal principles of Spain. Plant varieties or animal breeds Medical or surgical treatment methods.  How to patent an idea in Spain? As previously indicated, an abstract idea does not correspond to an invention. What is patented is a specific invention, that is, a technical materialization of the idea. If you haven't yet developed your invention, but want to protect confidential information, you can use a trade secret. Once a specific invention has been defined, the patent application process can be initiated with the OEPM. How to patent an invention step by step in Spain? Verify the patentability of the invention Before starting the process, it is advisable to verify whether your invention is patentable (under the requirements of novelty, inventive step and industrial application) and conduct a background search to check whether your invention has already been disclosed or protected by third parties. Prepare the technical documentation A descriptive report of the invention must be written where the invention to be protected is disclosed and claimed. The technical and legal drafting of a patent is essential for proper processing and protection of the solution. We recommend that you hire an industrial property agent to avoid errors that could limit the scope of protection. Submit the application The application must be submitted to the OEPM along with proof of payment of the corresponding fee. Ex officio examination and issuance of the State of the Art Report (IET) After verifying that the documentation is in order (ex officio examination), and upon payment of the corresponding fee, the official office will prepare the State of the Art Report (IET). This report analyzes whether similar inventions exist and provides a preliminary written opinion on the requirements for novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability, with any technical or formal objections that must be addressed if you wish to proceed. Official publication of the application: 18 months after the filing date, your application will be published in the Official Gazette of Industrial Property (BOPI) and in the database of the European Documentation Centre (CEO). From that moment: You have 3 months to apply for the Substantive Exam, paying its fee. The information is made public. Any third party may submit observations on the patentability of your invention. Substantive Examination After payment of the corresponding fee, the OEPM carries out an in-depth analysis of the technical and legal aspects of the application. If objections are detected, there is a two-month period from the publication of the Substantive Examination in the BOPI to correct them. Typically, there may be between 1 and 3 interactions with the Office during the substantive examination until the processing is resolved. Resolution and granting of the patent If everything is in order, the OEPM will issue a granting resolution, and your patent will be registered. After the patent is granted, a six-month period opens during which third parties may object to the patent if they believe it does not meet the legal requirements. If there is no opposition (or it is dismissed), the patent becomes yours entirely, with a duration of 20 years, renewable upon payment of an annual fee.  What if I want to protect my patent in Europe or worldwide? If you're interested in obtaining protection outside of Spain, unfortunately, there's no global patent that protects a solution in all countries. Individual protection is required in each of the countries of interest, with the steps and requirements varying substantially from country to country. If you are seeking protection in several European countries, a patent application can be filed with the European Patent Office (EPO). Once granted, the patent must be validated in each country where you want it to take effect (unless you choose the unitary patent system, which would already grant you protection in the participating countries). Alternatively, if you plan to protect your invention in multiple countries outside of Europe, you can use the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) system, managed by WIPO. This system allows the process to be initiated in many countries with a single international application, which is then processed individually in each of the territories of interest for its granting. European patents (before the EPO) and international applications (through the PCT system) follow different procedures, ...Read more