IPOI report highlights Ireland’s strength in innovation

On a global level, Ireland has risen to 19th place in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2024. Ireland ranks first globally in both ICT services exports and intellectual property payments, and ranks second globally for its intangible asset intensity. This growth in innovation is reflected in the surge of European patent and unitary patent applications from Irish resident businesses during the year. Additionally, an increase in national patent applications from applicants based outside Ireland highlights the country’s strategic importance on the international stage.

One of the main developments outlined in the report (48 pages/2.24 MB PDF) is a 31% increase in national patent applications, rising from 589 in 2023 to 774 in 2024. This growth is largely attributed to a continued influx of applications from overseas. While this international interest underscores Ireland’s relevance in the global IP landscape, it also prompts reflection on how domestic inventors are engaging with the system.

The IPOI has sought to address this with measures aimed at making the patent system more accessible to start ups and SMEs based in Ireland. Last month, a search co-operation agreement between the European Patent Office (EPO) and the IPOI was announced, which allows the IPOI to request the EPO’s expertise in examining national patent applications, offering applicants a comprehensive search report and written opinion on the patentability of their inventions. The agreement also provides for a substantial 80% discount on search fees for qualifying applicants.

In terms of European patent activity, Ireland continues to punch above its weight. According to the report, 1,118 European patent applications were filed by Irish resident companies – an increase of 4% compared to 2023. This places Ireland eleventh in Europe for patent applications per million inhabitants, a testament to the country’s innovation intensity. Moreover, 194,693 European patents were designated Ireland, reinforcing the country’s strategic importance in the broader European IP framework.

The rise in popularity of the unitary patent system is also notable, with Ireland ranking 10th in uptake and showing a 33% increase in applications for unitary patents from Irish businesses. However, Ireland is not yet fully participating in the Unified Patent Court (UPC) system, pending a constitutional referendum on the issue of ratification of the UPC Agreement. Ratification would mean that Irish applicants could seek a unitary patent that would protect their invention in Ireland as well as the other 18 participating member states; and would enable them to enforce their unitary patents through a single set of proceedings at the Irish division of the UPC.  

The top patent applicants in Ireland reflect a healthy mix of industry and academia. Companies like Aptiv Plc and GH Research Ireland dominate, alongside institutions such as Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. The leading technology fields include medtech (27.4%), computer technology (11.2%) and pharmaceuticals (8.9%), aligning with Ireland’s strengths in life sciences and digital innovation.

Additionally, supplementary protection certificates (SPCs), which extend patent protection for medicinal and plant products, saw an 18% increase in applications. This reflects the strategic importance of IP in the life sciences sector, where regulatory delays can significantly impact market entry and profitability.

The report also highlights some operational challenges faced by the IPOI during the year. The number of pending patent applications rose by 62%, and applications awaiting evidence of novelty more than doubled. This was partly due to staff shortages during the year. The IPOI announced earlier this month that it had appointed an additional patent examiner to increase examination capacity. In addition, the office has reinforced its commitment to digital transformation, as part of its mission “[t]o deliver a modern, digitalised Intellectual Property Office, encouraging innovation and enterprise, which provides world class professional services to be proud of”.