With annual European patent applications exceeding 200,000 for the first time, applications by Korean companies and inventors have also increased significantly, demonstrating their growing presence. As the upward trend in Korean applications continues, centered on batteries, digital communications, and semiconductors, it is assessed that technological competitiveness and efforts to secure rights in the European market have become much more pronounced.

The European Patent Office (EPO) released its annual report, "EPO Technology Dashboard 2025," in Munich, Germany, on the 24th (local time). According to the report, European patent applications for 2025 are projected to reach 201,974, a 1.4% increase from the previous year. This marks the first time the annual number of applications has exceeded 200,000. South Korea's application volume rose by 9.5% to 14,355, and the country ranked 5th for the third consecutive year.

Korea's growth was notable in specific technology sectors. The sector with the largest share was electromechanical, devices and energy, including batteries, and Korea was the largest applicant country in this field. The number of applications increased by 26.0% compared to the previous year, significantly exceeding the average growth rate of the EPO. In the battery sector as well, Korea's market share rose from 22% in 2021 to 35% last year, with LG, Samsung, and SK ranking among the top applicants. Digital communications also increased by 22.1% compared to the previous year, ranking third following the U.S. and China.

Korean companies continued their activities in computer technology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. Although computer technology applications decreased slightly, Korea maintained its fifth-place ranking globally. In the specific field of AI, Samsung and LG were among the top contenders. Semiconductor applications increased by 7.8% to 921 cases, ranking third following Europe and China; Samsung ranked first in European applications for this field, while LG ranked fourth. High growth rates were also observed in the fields of metrology and measurement technology and transportation, indicating a trend toward expanding application portfolios.

This trend aligns with demand across various industries. Batteries are connected to electric vehicles and energy storage systems, digital communications to next-generation networks, and semiconductors and AI to the entire electronics and information technology sector. The rush by Korean companies to secure rights in Europe is interpreted as being driven not only by competition in finished products but also by international competition surrounding core components, communication infrastructure, and data processing technologies. This trend is further evidenced by the fact that Samsung ranked as the top EPO applicant for the second consecutive year with 5,337 applications last year, while LG took third place with 4,464 applications.

Movements at the city and research institution levels were also confirmed. Seoul ranked 6th globally with 6,466 cases, while Suwon and Yongin were also included in the top 15. Seoul National University ranked 13th among universities with 52 European patent applications. In addition, the utilization of the single patent system, introduced in 2023, is on the rise. As of 2025, 28.7% of all European patents were registered as single patents, and 19.1% of European patents granted to Korean patent holders were also converted to this system.

This report demonstrates that Korea's patent strategy in Europe is expanding beyond single-technology competition centered on a few large conglomerates to encompass multiple industries, including batteries, telecommunications, semiconductors, and measurement technology. Amidst continuously rising patent demand in Europe, the increased filings by Korean companies are interpreted as a move aimed at simultaneously securing market dominance and defending their technology. If the utilization of the single patent system increases further, it is likely to lead to changes in how Korean companies secure intellectual property rights in Europe.