49 technological production by France measured by patents with the United States Patent and Trademark Office

In 2012, France was ranked 7th in the world in the United States patent system, with 2.1% of patents granted. Its main specialisations are in the sub-fields of "Organic fine chemistry", "Engines, pumps, turbines" and "Materials, metallurgy". All fields combined, France's world share has increased 3% since 2007. During this period, the share of US patents by France involving international collaboration has increased by 10%.

A patent for an invention is a title that gives its holder an exclusive right to exploit the invention for a certain time and in a limited territory. The rights associated with filing a patent are related to the countries covered by the office where the holder made the request. Due to the size of its market, the US patent system is particularly attractive for applicants. In 2012, the world share of US patents granted to French participants was 2.1%. This share was 2.9% in 1994. Until 2006, it declined steadily then stabilised. The reason for this decline is partly the dynamism of new countries in technological production, which has also resulted in a considerable increase in the total number of patents in the US system.

In 2012, in the US patent system France specialised in the fields of Chemistry (specialisation index 1.59) and Mechanical engineering (index 1.40). It is under-specialised in the field of Electronics and electricity (chart 49.01). Between 2007 and 2012, France strengthened its specialisation in the fields of Mechanical engineering and Instruments, by 14% and 11% respectively.

In 2012, in the 35 technological sub-fields, France represented between 3.9% and 5.4% of US patents in 'Organic fine chemistry', 'Engines, pumps, turbines', 'Materials, metallurgy', 'Pharmaceuticals' and 'Transport' (table 49.02). Between 2007 and 2012, France strengthened its specialisation in its top ten sub-fields in the US patent system, with the exception notably of 'Organic fine chemistry' and 'Macromolecular chemistry' (-20% and -7% respectively).

The share of patents granted that involve a foreign applicant is measured from the share of US patents invented in France where the applicants are located outside France. In 2012, all fields combined, 41.8% of patents granted involved an applicant located abroad (chart 49.03). This share was significantly lower in Mechanical engineering and significantly higher in Chemistry. Between 2007 and 2012, all fields combined, this share increased by 12% and in particular by 36% in Chemistry and 38% in Other fields, which includes Other consumer goods and Civil engineering.

In 2012, the United States and Japan were the top countries by their share of US granted patents (chart 49.04). Germany, in 3rd place, was the top European country. South Korea and Taiwan were ranked 4th and 5th. Next came Canada, France, the United Kingdom and China. Between 2007 and 2012, there was a significant increase in the world share of US patents granted to South Korea (+52%), China (+180%) and also to India (+93%) although their shares of patents were limited. At the same time there was a drop in the share of US patents from Germany (-8%), the United States (-6%), the United Kingdom (-5%), and also Japan (-4%).

In 2012, 26.2% of US patents from France were co-invented with a foreign partner (chart 49.05). The share of patents produced by international co-invention was similar in Canada and significantly higher in the United Kingdom and China, but less than 10% for Taiwan, the United States, South Korea and Japan. Between 2007 and 2012, the share of US patents produced by international co-invention increased by at least 10% for the top ten producing countries (+10% for France), with the exception of Israel and South Korea (both +6%) and China (-13%).

Françoise Laville, Chris Roth & Marie-Laure Taillibert