http://innovationweek.org/france/2016/04/14/la-france-deuxieme-pays-europeen-le-plus-innovant/
The creation of the French Tech label in 2014 and the establishment of an innovation support ecosystem by the French government tend to demonstrate that our country remains more than ever in the race for innovation. As proof, during CES 2015, 190 stratups present in Las Vegas were French! However, despite these major efforts, France ranks sixth in terms of patent filings globally, and second at the European level. What are its strengths and weaknesses vis-à-vis its European neighbor? What are the most innovative sectors in Europe in 2015?
Germany, the engine of innovation in Europe
France, the second most innovative European country after Germany.
Obtaining near perfect equality with the United States in terms of patents filed and granted in 2015, Germany is the star of innovation in Europe. The figures speak for themselves: 40% of patents filed and granted in Europe in 2015 were German, a figure two to three higher than in France (14,122 against 5,433 in 2015). France therefore remains the second-tier player in innovation in Europe after its German neighbor.
The remuneration of inventors makes the difference
In addition to the greater investments in Germany than in France in research and development (2.84% of GDP compared to 2.26% in 2015), the gap between the two countries is widening with the remuneration of employee inventors in Germany. We understand their motivation when we know that they receive additional remuneration depending on the commercial success of their invention, which is not the case in France.
"Reasonable additional remuneration is due as soon as the invention is exploited. The inventor's remuneration is typically between 0.2 and 0.5% of the turnover achieved with the invention. In the majority of cases, the remuneration would be set at 0.2-0.3% of turnover. "
Prof. Dr. Sebastian Wündischv
Innovative sectors in Europe
First place in the European ranking goes to the health and medical technology sector which continues to grow with 12,474 patents filed, an increase of 11% compared to 2014. This ultra-competitive sector is also popular with French inventors. : with 12% of requests in 2014, it comes in second position after the new technologies and telecommunications sector (22%). The digital communication sector comes in second place at European level with 10,762 patents filed in 2015, or 3.2% more than in 2014. Finally, third place goes to computer technologies with 10,549 patents filed in Europe in 2015.
Top 5 European countries by sector
If Germany is an example in Europe, of course France does not have to be ashamed of its performance! See you from October 1 to 16, 2016 for InnovationWeek, the digital innovation week in France!
By Matthieu Cheminal