Korean Patent Filings Surge 9.5% at EPO, Led by Samsung and LG
Event summary
- Korean innovators filed 14,355 European patent applications in 2025, up 9.5% YoY.
- Samsung and LG accounted for 68% of Korea's total European patent applications.
- Battery technology saw the strongest growth at +34.9%, with Korea's share rising to 35%.
- EPO received a record 201,974 patent applications in 2025, surpassing 200,000 for the first time.
The big picture
Korea's surge in patent filings reflects its growing influence in global technology markets, particularly in battery and semiconductor innovation. The country's strategic focus on digital communication and AI aligns with broader industry trends toward next-generation networks and artificial intelligence. Samsung and LG's dominance underscores Korea's role as a key player in Europe's tech ecosystem.
What we're watching
- Market Positioning
- How Samsung and LG will leverage their dominant patent positions in Europe to strengthen market share in key tech sectors.
- Technological Diversification
- Whether Korea can sustain its rapid growth in emerging fields like 6G and AI, given the decline in computer technology filings.
- Regulatory Impact
- The pace at which the Unitary Patent system will be adopted by Korean innovators, potentially simplifying European market entry.
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