Patent applicants and applications; SIC 2008 and company size

Patent applicants and applications; SIC 2008 and company size

Country (UCI) SIC 2008 Company size Periods EPO-Patent applicants (number) EPO-Patent applications (number) EPO-Patent Applicants with foreign cooperation (number) EPO-Patent Applications with foreign cooperation (number) OCNL-Patent Patent applicants (number) OCNL-Patent Patent applications (number) OCNL-Patent Applicants with foreign cooperation (number) OCNL-Patent Applications with foreign cooperation (number)
Total domestic and foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 505 2,240 40 165 895 1,345 10 10
Total domestic and foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 300 400 15 50 640 770 5 5
Total domestic and foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* 85 230 5 45 135 250 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 115 1,600 20 70 100 305 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* 10 10 0 0 15 20 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Total employed persons 2021* 10 10 0 0 20 25 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 15 20 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . 0 0 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 250 and more employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total domestic and foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 01 Agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 10 10 0 0 20 25 0 0
Total domestic and foreign 01 Agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 15 20 0 0
Total domestic and foreign 01 Agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . 0 0 0 0
Total domestic and foreign 01 Agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total domestic and foreign 01 Agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services Total employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 10 70 0 5
Total domestic and foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 10 65 0 0
Total domestic and foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
Total domestic and foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign R Culture, sports and recreation Total employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 5 60 0 0
Total domestic and foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 5 60 0 0
Total domestic and foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Total domestic and foreign R Culture, sports and recreation Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic A-N Business economy and agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 390 1,740 25 70 810 1,155 5 5
Domestic A-N Business economy and agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 275 360 15 45 620 745 5 5
Domestic A-N Business economy and agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* 50 75 0 0 100 185 0 0
Domestic A-N Business economy and agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 55 1,295 10 20 70 210 0 0
Domestic A-N Business economy and agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* 10 10 0 0 15 20 0 0
Domestic A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Total employed persons 2021* 10 10 0 0 20 25 0 0
Domestic A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 15 20 0 0
Domestic A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . 0 0 0 0
Domestic A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Domestic A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 01 Agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 10 10 0 0 20 25 0 0
Domestic 01 Agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 5 5 0 0 15 20 0 0
Domestic 01 Agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . 0 0 0 0
Domestic 01 Agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0
Domestic 01 Agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 03 Fishing and aquaculture Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 03 Fishing and aquaculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 03 Fishing and aquaculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 03 Fishing and aquaculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic 03 Fishing and aquaculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic R-U Culture, recreation, other services Total employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 10 70 0 5
Domestic R-U Culture, recreation, other services 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 10 65 0 0
Domestic R-U Culture, recreation, other services 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic R-U Culture, recreation, other services 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
Domestic R-U Culture, recreation, other services Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic R Culture, sports and recreation Total employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 5 60 0 0
Domestic R Culture, sports and recreation 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 0 10 0 5 5 60 0 0
Domestic R Culture, sports and recreation 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic R Culture, sports and recreation 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Domestic R Culture, sports and recreation Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 115 495 15 95 85 185 5 5
Foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* 20 35 5 5 20 25 0 0
Foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* 40 155 5 40 35 65 0 0
Foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 55 305 10 50 30 95 0 0
Foreign A-N Business economy and agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Total employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 . . . .
Foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 . . . .
Foreign A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 01 Agriculture Total employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 . . . .
Foreign 01 Agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 01 Agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 01 Agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* 0 0 0 0 . . . .
Foreign 01 Agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign 03 Fishing and aquaculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R-U Culture, recreation, other services Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R Culture, sports and recreation Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R Culture, sports and recreation 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Foreign R Culture, sports and recreation Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A-N Business economy and agriculture Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A-N Business economy and agriculture 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A-N Business economy and agriculture 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A-N Business economy and agriculture 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A-N Business economy and agriculture Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Total employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0 to 49 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 50 to 249 employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A Agriculture, forestry and fishing 250 and more employed persons 2021* . . . . . . . .
Equally-shared control A Agriculture, forestry and fishing Employed persons unknown 2021* . . . . . . . .
Source: CBS.
Explanation of symbols

Table explanation


This table gives an overview of the number of patent applicants and patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). Patents can be granted to enterprises, universities, institutions, private persons or other entities as long as the invention which they cover fulfils certain criteria. To obtain a patent the invention must be novel, contain an inventive step and be industrially applicable. This is assessed by a patent office like the EPO or OCNL. The patent office will grant or reject the application.

The data are broken down by economic activity of the enterprise applying for a patent. For the classification by economic activity the Dutch Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2008) is used. The data give an indication which branches are (most) innovative. Additionally, a breakdown by enterprise size class is available.

Data available from: 2013

Status of the figures:
The figures from 2013 to 2019 are final. The figures for 2020 are revised provisional. The figures for 2021 are provisional.

Changes as of 15 July 2024:
The figures for 2019 and 2020 have been adjusted and the provisional figures for 2021 have been added.

Changes as of 1 February 2024:
Provisional figures for 2019 and 2020 have been updated.

When will new figures be published?
Beginning of 2025 the figures for 2020 and 2021 will be updated. Mid 2025 the figures for 2020 and 2021 will be updated and new figures for 2022 will be added.

Description topics

EPO-Patent
A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However, the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.
applicants
Enterprises who applied for a patent at the European Patent Office (EPO)in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.
applications
Patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) is valid in all member countries of the EPO. However the EPO patent must be validated at the national patent office in order to be effective in member countries.
Applicants with foreign cooperation
Enterprises who applied for a patent at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for any of its applications.
Applications with foreign cooperation
Patent applications at the European Patent Office (EPO) in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for this specific application.
OCNL-Patent
A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.
Patent applicants
Enterprises who applied for a patent at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.

Patent applications
Patent applications at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed.
A patent that is granted by NL Patent Office (OCNL), a division of Agency NL, is only valid in the Netherlands.
Applicants with foreign cooperation
Enterprises who applied for a patent at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for any of its applications.
Applications with foreign cooperation
Patent applications at the Netherlands Patent Office (OCNL), a department of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), in the period observed, where the Dutch applicant has cooperated with a foreign entity for this specific application.