A recent analysis by the Institute of the German Economy (IW Köln) reveals a continuing decline in patent applications originating from independent inventors within Germany. The study, previewed by the Funke Media Group newspapers, indicates that 2022 saw a historic low of 2,160 patents filed by individuals-a decrease of approximately 75 percent since the turn of the millennium.
While companies, universities and other legal entities continue to dominate patent activity in Germany, the IW notes a consistent marginalization of independent inventors. Their share of overall patent filings has fallen from around 25 percent in the mid-1990s to just under 5 percent today.
IW patent expert Oliver Koppel suggests this erosion is unlikely to reverse. “After a brief upward trend during the coronavirus pandemic, the number of patents originating from independent inventors has reached a new all-time low” he stated.
Koppel attributes this decline to increasing complexity in technological innovation and a growing body of existing knowledge, making truly novel inventions more difficult to achieve. Larger companies increasingly rely on teams, making it harder for individual inventors to overcome the threshold for patentability.
Despite these challenges, Koppel emphasizes the value of independent inventors, praising their capacity for “out-of-the-box” thinking, which often generates unique innovation impulses not typically seen within established companies. He argues for increased support for these inventors, noting a contrast with the robust level of funding available for start-ups. While not economically catastrophic, he suggests that the current lack of support deprives Germany of valuable innovation.
The study also reveals a notable trend in gender representation. The proportion of female independent inventors has risen from 6.4 percent at the start of the millennium to 9.9 percent. However, even with this increase, the number of patent applications from women has decreased from 575 in 2000 to 214 in 2022. This represents 37 percent of the initial level, a smaller decline than that experienced by male inventors (23 percent).
The study further indicates regional variations within Germany, with Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg accounting for the largest share of patent applications from female inventors. Interestingly, eastern German states (including Berlin) exhibit a higher proportion of patents originating from female inventors (15.6 percent) compared to western states (8.9 percent).
The IW highlights several important inventions originating from independent inventors, including frequency-hopping spread spectrum, radio remote control for torpedoes, the coffee filter, maglev trains and the dishwasher. The Velcro fastening system is also cited as a prime example of an invention born from independent innovation.
Finally, the IW notes a general stagnation in patent filings from Germany, driven by demographic factors. While the overall number of applications at the German Patent and Trademark Office is increasing, this growth is solely attributable to foreign applicants seeking patent protection within Germany. Countries like China, the USA and South Korea are experiencing positive growth in patent activity, contrasting with the situation in Germany.
