Technology drives jump in Scottish patent filings

The number of patent filings in Scotland last year rose by 2.1 per cent from 2014 as a growing number of tech companies sought to protect their ideas.

David Moreland, partner at Marks & Clerk in Glasgow. Picture: Contributed

Intellectual property adviser Marks & Clerk said that in 2015 the European Patent Office received 241 filings from north of the Border, with the year-on-year increase exceeding the European average of 1.6 per cent.

The Scottish total contributed to the 4,983 filings in the UK in the year, with the largest growth from the computer technology sector, up 37.4 per cent from the previous year.

David Moreland, European patent attorney and partner at Marks & Clerk in Glasgow, said: “It is not surprising that patent applications from Scottish companies are increasing.

“With computer technology start-ups relatively inexpensive to launch and develop in terms of capital and expenditure, a burgeoning industry has emerged in Scotland. And as the marketplace matures, there is a growing recognition by entrepreneurial start-ups and established brands of the importance of protecting their innovations — which is contributing to the increase in patent applications.”

The new figures came as Edinburgh-based Frontier IP, which specialises in the commercialisation of university intellectual property, said it raised just over £1 million in a share placement.

Chief executive Neil Crabb said the proceeds will be used to “pursue new opportunities in the UK and beyond, whilst continuing to deliver strong growth from our current portfolio”.