Paris. 14 June 2021. Tuesday June 8 saw the publication of France’s INPI (National Intellectual Property Institute) rankings. This annual study produces a list of the top 50 patent applicants in France according to the number of applications published by the INPI. This year, Safran has climbed one position to second place!
Safran consolidates its place on the podium of French bodies generating the largest number of patent applications. With 1,103 applications published in 2020 compared to 871 in 2019 – an increase of more than 26% – the Group moves into the No.2 position among companies filing patents in 2020 nationally. At regional level, Safran holds the top spot in Normandy and Nouvelle Aquitaine.
On Wednesday June 9, Stephane Ceuille – Group R&T and Innovation Director at Safran – visited Orange Lab for the awards ceremony. He took the opportunity to speak about the process of integrating patents filed within R&T and R&D, as well as the Group’s disruptive technological contributions to the SCAF program.
“The protection method best suited to technological innovations is the patent,” points out Jean-Marc Brunel, Director of Intellectual Property at Safran, “which explains Safran’s proactive policy in this area. In addition, we are considered a world benchmark, not only in terms of the volume of patents but also the quality and structuring of our portfolio.” The aim, after all, is not to patent every invention – which would be impossible without mobilizing colossal resources – but rather to protect inventions which will make a real difference tomorrow. “Choices have to be made,” Brunel believes. “That’s why the intellectual property strategy must be aligned with the Group’s overall strategy and its technology roadmaps. That’s how it works at Safran: Intellectual property is integrated into the entire innovation process, from research through to development and commissioning.”
