Patents and the Fourth Industrial Revolution(4IR)

patents_and_the_fourth_industrial_revolution_study_2020_en.pdf

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유럽특허청(EPO)에서 2020년 12월에 발간한 특허와 4차 산업 혁명에 관련된 보고서입니다.

 

Patents and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

 

The global technology trends enabling the data-driven economy

 

December 2020

 

 

Foreword

 

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the future of the global economy depends more than ever on innovation and creativity. Industries that make intensive use of intellectual property rights not only account for 45% of the EU’s GDP and 39% of employment, they are also more resilient to crises (EPO and EUIPO, 2019). In our efforts to pull the global economy out of recession, IP-intensive industries will make a crucial contribution by driving economic growth, largely fuelled by innovation in emerging technologies. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is already triggering sweeping transformations in value creation and consumer behaviour. A constellation of disruptive technologies – the internet of things, cloud computing, big data, 5G communication and, of course, artificial intelligence – is paving the way for a new data-driven economy. In just three years from now the world will be populated by 29 billion smart connected devices, all capable of collecting and sharing data in real time and making smart, autonomous decisions. In terms of value creation, the boom in 4IR technologies is expected to contribute over two trillion euros to the EU economy by the end of this decade. As the patent office for Europe, the EPO is at the forefront of these transformations and uniquely positioned to assess their scope and implications. This new study takes a truly global perspective on the technology drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Drawing on patent data across over 350 distinct technology fields, it provides unrivalled insights into the digital transformation impacting the global economy today. Overall, the findings point to a world in which the pace of innovation in 4IR technologies has accelerated dramatically over the past decade. Between 2010 and 2018, global patent filings for smart connected objects grew at an average annual rate of almost 20% – nearly five times faster than all other technology fields. By 2018, 4IR technologies accounted for over 10% of global patenting activities, and their growth looks set to continue in the years ahead. The study also offers key insights into the innovation performance and specialisation profiles of countries and companies in 4IR technologies. On top of identifying those regional clusters that are dominating the data-driven economy, the study also traces developments in areas like transport, healthcare or agriculture where smart, connected devices, are having the greatest impact. By virtue of its sheer magnitude, the Fourth Industrial Revolution will define the global balance of technology leadership for years to come. Europe’s strength lies in the diversity of its innovation ecosystem, the strong performances of smaller countries with highly specialised innovation profiles and its flourishing regional clusters of excellence. While Europe is not growing as fast as other regions when it comes to innovation in 4IR technologies, windows of opportunity remain open. More remains to be done to promote innovation in emerging technologies if Europe seeks to get ahead in the global 4IR race.

 

António Campinos

 

President, European Patent Offic