At the core of the digital transformation are data processing methods for business purposes. The networking of end devices, industrial and domestic control systems, as well as machines and production facilities, create vast amounts of digital data. The processing of this data – buzzwords are, for example, “Big Data” and “Cloud Computing” – is a highly dynamic area of innovation. This is reflected in the 2017 registration statistics at the German Patent and Trademark Office with an increase of 77.9% since 2011.

In 2017, a record number of registrations was achieved like in the previous year. The patent rally for the distribution of the cyber space continues. However, the annual report shows that German applicants are falling further and further behind. In the meantime, 21.300 registrations of the almost 67.900 registrations come from abroad, which means that these foreign registrations are up 7% compared to the previous year.