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

In 2013, 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', 'Transport' and 'Pharmaceuticals'. All fields combined, France's world share has increased by 6% since 2008. During this period, the share of US patents by France involving international collaboration has increased by 11%.

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, managed by the USPTO, is particularly attractive for applicants. In 2013, 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 2013, in the US patent system France specialised in the fields of 'Chemistry-materials' (specialisation index 1.59) and, to a lesser extent, 'Mechanical engineering'. It is under-specialised in the field of 'Electrical and electronic engineering' (chart 50.01). Between 2008 and 2013, France strengthened its specialisation in the fields of 'Mechanical engineering' and 'Instruments', by 12% and 11% respectively.

In 2013, in the 35 technological sub-fields, France represented between 3.9% and 5.4% of US patents in 'Organic fine chemistry', 'Transport', 'Pharmaceuticals', Materials, metallurgy', and 'Engines, pumps, turbines' (table 50.02). Between 2008 and 2013, France strengthened its specialisation in its top ten sub-fields in the US patent system, with the exception of 'Organic fine chemistry', 'Pharmaceuticals', and 'Pure Chemistry' (-26%, -6% and -2% respectively).

The share of patents granted that involve a foreign applicant is measured from the share of US patents invented in France where one applicant (at least) is located outside France. In 2013, all fields combined, 41.6% of patents granted involved an applicant located abroad (chart 50.03). This share was significantly lower in 'Mechanical engineering' and significantly higher in 'Chemistry-materials'. Between 2008 and 2013, all fields combined, this share increased by 10% and in particular by 31% in Chemistry-materials and 35% in Other fields, which includes consumer goods and Civil engineering.

In 2013, the United States and Japan were the top countries by their share of US granted patents (chart 50.04). Germany, in 3rd place, was the top European country. South Korea and Taiwan were ranked 4th and 5th. Next came Canada, France, China and the United Kingdom. Between 2008 and 2013, there was a significant increase in the world share of US patents granted to South Korea (+31%), China (+164%), a more modest producer of patents, and also to India (+105%), a small producer of patents. At the same time there was a drop in the share of US patents from Japan (-7%), Germany and the United States (-5% each), and to a lesser extent the Netherlands (-2%).

In 2013, 26.6% of USPTO patents from France were co-invented with a foreign partner (chart 50.05). 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 11% for Taiwan, the United States, South Korea and Japan. Between 2008 and 2013, the share of US patents produced by international co-invention increased by more than 10% for the top ten producing countries (+11% for France), with the exception of Israel (+4%) and China (-19%).

Tessa Enock Levi, Françoise Laville, Chris Roth & Marie-Laure Taillibert