In the foundation SKAPA, a patent barometer compares the number of patent applications in the spring of 2008, before the financial crisis, with the number of patent applications in the spring of 2009. The study revealed that the number of patent applications has declined.
In 2008, 812 patent applications were submitted between January to April in Sweden and this year the figure was much lower, only 733.
Overall, the number of patent applications has decreased by ten percent compared to 2008. The more patents submitted means that more people have taken the step towards a successful investment.
In order for the financial crisis to decline, individuals who dare to believe in their inventions and ideas are needed. During the spring of 2009, most patents per 100,000 in the population were in Stockholm (12.9), closely followed by Blekinge (12.5) and Västmanland (12.0).
The Swedish patent peaks are counties with universities and technical institutes and/or large companies investing in research and development.
Costs and risks are high and therefore, many are unsure. At the same time, it requires long-term commitments.
A patent application and the following charges in some countries cost approximately 500,000 SEK if you include all the expenses. This includes charges such as materials and documentation, etc.
In order to find long-term financing, additional investment of a couple of million SEK is often needed to achieve what you strive for.
Europe has more weaknesses than other continents. For example, the costs of establishing a patent protection is up to 30 times more expensive in Europe than on other continents. This is one of the factors that contributed to that the applications for patents have decreased.
Cecilia Helland