The European Union (EU) has a unified patent system that allows for the grant of a single patent that is valid in all member states of the EU. This system is designed to make it easier and more cost-effective for businesses and individuals to obtain and enforce patents in multiple countries within the EU. As of 2021, the EU had a total of approximately 4.7 million patents in force, with the majority (about 70%) of these patents being held by non-EU entities. The top three countries for patent holders in the EU are Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The EU’s patent system is administered by the European Patent Office (EPO), which grants patents for inventors from around the world. In 2020, the EPO received over 171,000 patent applications, with the majority (about 62%) coming from outside the EU. The top three countries for patent applications to the EPO in 2020 were the United States, Japan, and China. One of the key benefits of the EU’s patent system is that it allows for a centralized process for challenging the validity of a patent. This helps to streamline the process and reduce the costs associated with litigating patents in multiple countries. In 2020, the EPO received over 13,000 requests for opposition to a granted patent, with the majority (about 60%) of these requests coming from within the EU. The EU’s patent system also includes the Unitary Patent, which is a new type of patent that is intended to provide even greater cost savings and legal certainty for businesses and individuals operating within the EU. The Unitary Patent was introduced in 2017, but as of 2021, it has not yet come into effect due to the lack of ratifications from some Member States. Overall, the EU’s patent system is designed to provide a more efficient and cost-effective way for businesses and individuals to protect their intellectual property in the EU. With a large number of patents in force and a growing number of applications being filed each year, the EU’s patent system continues to play a significant role in the global economy.