Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) generate 45% of economic activity in the European Union

IPR-intensive industries employ up to one in three people in the EU

These industries pay 47% higher wages than other sectors

Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights (IPRs) such as patents, trademarks, industrial designs and copyright generate 45% of GDP (EUR 6.6 trillion) in the EU annually and account for 63 million jobs (29% of all jobs). A further 21 million people are employed in sectors that supply these industries with goods and services. These are among the findings of a joint report released today by the European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) which analyses the importance of IPRs for the EU economy between 2014 and 2016.

In the period under review, employment in IPR-intensive industries grew by 1.3 million jobs compared with 2011-13, while total employment in the EU declined slightly. The value added per employee in these industries is higher than in the rest of the economy. Accordingly, IPR-intensive industries pay significantly higher wages: on average 47% more than other sectors, with the figure rising to 72% for patent-intensive industries.

Read the complete Press release of EPO