EPO Insight Report: Patent filings go quantum as computing power takes giant leap
24 February 2023
The EPO has published its second patent insight report on quantum computing which contains an overview of trends in quantum computing at large and in particular sub-sectors. Some of the key findings of this report are:
The number of inventions in the field of quantum computing multiplied over the last decade.
Quantum computing inventions show a higher growth rate than in all fields of technology in general.
The above-average share of international patent applications suggests high economic expectations with regard to the technologies in question and multinational commercialisation strategy.
There is a dynamic patent trend in the sub-sectors 'physical realisations of quantum computing', 'quantum error correction/mitigation' and 'quantum computing and artificial intelligence/machine learning', where the number of inventions also multiplied.
According to the EPO, there are no signs that developments in the field of quantum computing will slow down in the next few years as we move ever deeper into a more complex digital landscape.
De Clercq & Partners has once again been recognised in the IAM Patent 1000
We are proud to announce that De Clercq & Partners has once again been recognised in theIAMPatent 1000 2026, one of the leading international rankings for patent professionals and firms.
Moldova to become the 40th EPC contracting state on 1 June 2026
On 1 June 2026, the European Patent Organisation (EPO) will grow to 40 contracting states with the accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Patent Convention (EPC).
Update on the G1/25 Enlarged Board of Appeal referral on description amendments
January 30 marked the deadline set by the Enlarged Board of Appeal (EBoA) to file written statements regarding referral G1/25. This deadline concerned the parties to the proceedings, third parties not taking part in the proceedings (also known as amicus curiae) and the President of the European Patent Office (EPO). You can read the background information relating to the G1/25 referral in our article of August 5, 2025 here.
These editions will take effect on April 1, 2026. Simultaneously, the EPO opened its annual public consultation and will accept feedback until April 3, 2026. The SACEPO Working Party on Guidelines will review the contributions at its May 12, 2026 meeting and consider them for the 2027 revision cycle.
