British Innovation Lags Behind France & Germany’s

Britain is lagging behind European rivals on innovation, with both France and Germany filing significantly more patents in 2014 than the UK, according to a new study by Thomson Reuters.

The study found that, despite the last government’s efforts to boost innovation through Patent Box legislation, the UK filed just 6,619 patents last year compared to 56,492 in Germany and 11,595 in France.

Germany is the overall leader in automotive innovation in Europe, with companies like Bosch dominating as a component innovator. The top five beauty-related companies also hail from Europe, with France's L'Oreal leading the pack.

However, in the UK, only three companies were highlighted as competing on the global innovation stage, Unilever, British American Tobacco and GlaxoSmithKline.

The findings highlight that the UK is strong in research and development, with several British academic institutions including the University of Reading, Imperial College London and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute given honorable mention.

However, innovators in other countries are securing patents to protect their inventions at a much higher rate. Graphene, for example, was invented in Britain, but most research into the new material, and the resulting patents, are now going abroad.

Globally, patent volume reached a new high in 2014, with over 2.1 million unique inventions published over the last year. The industries showing the largest growth in patent volume were food, tobacco and beverage fermentation (21pc), pharmaceuticals (12pc); cosmetics (8pc) and biotechnology (7pc).

However, the innovation growth rate has slowed, with worldwide patent volume increasing just 3pc over the last year, the slowest rate of growth since the end of the global recession in 2009. The total volume of new scientific research decreased 23pc over the same period.

"While the impact is still to be determined, one thing we know with certainty is that innovation is a key driver of economic success and growth," said Basil Moftah, president of Thomson Reuters IP & Science.

"Although a slowing of the pace of innovation could be a result of other factors, like changes to patent legislation, if the trend continues it will be something corporations and governments will want to pay close attention to."

A UK Government Spokesperson said: “A patent is not the only way to protect innovation in the UK. Many highly innovative firms recognise that patents are not always the best way, especially when the product life cycle is short, and often opt for alternative mechanisms, for example confidentiality agreements.

“Investing in innovation is a key part of our long-term economic plan. Last year we announced £67 millions of funding to support British businesses and scientists to bridge the ‘valley of death’ that lies between research and the marketplace.

“This includes £50million to seven new areas of technology where Britain is well positioned to take a leading role in the future like 3D printing of human organs and better drugs. We are also investing in a network of catapult centres. These innovation centres, part funded by the Government, help businesses and researchers bring new products to commercialisation more quickly.”

Telegraph

You Might Also Read:

Data Security Puts Innovation At Risk:

 

« Data Threat: Your Ex-Employees
Hunters Take Down Terrorists On The Internet »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Our Supplier Directory lists 6,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

CYRIN

CYRIN

CYRIN® Cyber Range. Real Tools, Real Attacks, Real Scenarios. See why leading educational institutions and companies in the U.S. have begun to adopt the CYRIN® system.

CSI Consulting Services

CSI Consulting Services

Get Advice From The Experts: * Training * Penetration Testing * Data Governance * GDPR Compliance. Connecting you to the best in the business.

Luxar Tech

Luxar Tech

Luxar's network visibility products enable enterprises and service providers to monitor network traffic, improve security and optimize efficiency.

Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike

Cobalt Strike is penetration testing software designed to execute targeted attacks.

NovaTech Automation

NovaTech Automation

NovaTech products and services make the world’s power grids and essential process industries more reliable, efficient, sustainable and secure.

Cyber Observer

Cyber Observer

Cyber Observer’s team specializes in providing corporate officers with comprehensive, visual, real-time performance overview, critical security control (CSC) analysis.

Mnemonica

Mnemonica

Mnemonica specializes in providing data protection system, information security compliance solutions, cloud and managed services.

Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services

Tata Consultancy Services is a global leader in IT services, consulting & business solutions including cyber security.

WISeKey

WISeKey

WISeKey is a leading cybersecurity company currently deploying large scale digital identity ecosystems for people and objects using Blockchain, AI and IoT.

Lightship Security

Lightship Security

Lightship Security is an accredited Common Criteria and FIPS 140-2 IT security testing laboratory that specializes in test conformance automation solutions and IT product security certifications.

International Data Sanitization Consortium (IDSC)

International Data Sanitization Consortium (IDSC)

IDSC is a group composed of individuals and companies dedicated to standardizing terminology and practices across the data sanitization industry.

Cyber Skyline

Cyber Skyline

Cyber Skyline is a revolutionary cloud platform to practice, develop, and measure your team's technical cybersecurity skills.

Mitnick Security

Mitnick Security

Mitnick Security is a leading global provider of information security consulting and training services.

MedSec

MedSec

MedSec is the only company of its type focused solely on cybersecurity for hospitals and medical device manufacturers, offering both a cybersecurity software solution and consulting services.

TetherView

TetherView

TetherView provides leading virtual desktop and email security technology to help businesses stand up and manage digital workspaces.

Increase Your Skills (IYS)

Increase Your Skills (IYS)

Armed and ready: raise awareness of cyberattacks in your company with the Full-Service Awareness Platform from IYS – fast and effective. We help you develop a robust, sustainable security strategy.

Network Coverage

Network Coverage

Network Coverage align, maintain, and integrate technology and cloud solutions with business operations to improve productivity and security with as few issues and disruptions as possible.

ReformIT

ReformIT

ReformIT is a Managed IT Service and Security provider with many years experience helping companies find the right IT solutions to meet the needs of their businesses.