Between 2019 and 2023, Italy demonstrated a consistent yet dynamic patent landscape, with a total of 85,451 patent applications (based on publications from 2019-2023) represented by 168 firms.
Steady Growth in Patent Filings in Italy
According to IP Pilot data, there has been a steady increase in patent applications in Italy, averaging a 9% growth per year from 2019 to 2023. This upward trend underscores the growing emphasis on intellectual property protection within Italy.
Rank: Largest 20 Patent Prosecution Firms in Italy
Among the 168 patent prosecution firms in Italy, the top 25 collectively managed 62,121 applications over the five-year period, representing 73% of the total filings. This signals a high concentration within the industry, indicating that a small number of firms dominate patent filings in Italy.
The top three firms in the ranking were STUDIO TORTA (8,769 applications), JACOBACCI & PARTNERS (8,033 applications), and BUGNION S.P.A. (8,111 applications). Re-emphasizing the significant concentration of the patent business in Italy, these three firms alone accounted for nearly 30% of all patent filings in the country during this period.
While many of these firms maintained a consistent filing volume year on year, several firms exhibited notable increases in their filings:
BRUNACCI & PARTNERS S.R.L. saw a 62% increase.
FIAMMENGHI-FIAMMENGHI recorded a 60% rise.
PRAXI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY S.P.A. experienced a 57% uptick.
PERANI & PARTNERS S.P.A. had a 47% increase.
Overall Patent Landscape in Italy
Out of the 85,451 patent applications, 39% were filed internationally from Italy as domestic filings, while 11% were submitted by foreign innovators. The largest 25 patent prosecution firms in Italy handled the bulk of these international filings, managing 90% of this workflow. Notably, four major firms—STUDIO TORTA, BUGNION S.P.A., JACOBACCI & PARTNERS, and GLP SRL—dominate this sector.
Conversely, most patent prosecution firms in Italy primarily serve domestic clients. For instance, firms like ING. CLAUDIO BALDI S.R.L. and MODIANO & PARTNERS have foreign filing shares of 0% and 1%, respectively, indicating a strong focus on domestic applicants. This underscores the importance of understanding and navigating the nuances of the Italian market for effective patent prosecution.
A significant portion (58%) of all applications filed by Italian patent firms were PCT-based. This highlights the importance of the PCT system in the strategic filing approaches of Italian patent firms, despite the relatively small market size.
Although the patent landscape in Italy may not be as expansive as in some other European countries, IP Pilot data indicates a steady increase driven by ongoing country reforms aimed at fostering innovation.
Italy: Number of Patent Applications and Shares of Foreign Filings per Firm
Case Exchange Trends in Italy
From 2019 to 2023, patent prosecution firms in Italy sent 33,492 patent cases to foreign firms, constituting a major part of their workload. The primary recipients were:
United States: 9,144 cases
China: 6,863 cases
Japan: 3,043 cases
These three countries alone accounted for 57% of all outbound cases. Conversely, Italian firms received 9,753 patent cases from their foreign counterparts, predominantly from China and the United States.
Law Firms Receiving Most Cases from Italy: Country Breakdown 2019-2023
Law Firms Sending Most Cases to Italy: Country Breakdown 2019-2023
Conclusion
Between 2019 and 2023, Italian patent firms filed 85,451 applications, with the top 25 firms responsible for 62,121 filings, representing 73% of the total. Of these, 39% were directed to foreign associates, with the US, China, and Japan being the primary destinations. In return, Italian firms received 9,753 cases, mainly from the US and China. The Italian patent landscape remains robust and steadily growing, with incremental increases observed annually.
