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  • News article
  • 11 January 2025
  • European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
  • 1 min read

New Study by EPO and EUIPO: Intellectual Property Rights and Firm Performance in the European Union

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and the European Patent Office (EPO) have published the findings of their study, “Intellectual Property Rights and Firm Performance in the European Union.” The study underscores the pivotal role of intellectual property rights (IPRs)—such as trademarks, designs, and patents—in fostering business success, with a particular emphasis on the benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 

It investigates the economic performance of companies that own IPRs compared to those that do not. Using an extensive dataset covering the period from 2013 to 2022, the analysis includes over 119,000 firms across all 27 EU member states. It examines patents, trademarks, and designs registered with the EPO and the EUIPO, and various national and regional IP offices within the European Union.

The study states that companies with IPRs generate 23.8% more revenue per employee compared to those without IPRs. When adjusting for factors like industry, company size, and location, this revenue advantage increases to 41%, with an even greater impact observed among SMEs. 

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Publication date
11 January 2025
Author
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency