China has acquired ownership rights to more than 11,300 patents for inventions created in Germany over the past two decades. This is according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW), commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
According to the report, nearly one in three inventions developed in Germany now belongs to foreign owners. Of these, China controls a significant share — approximately 11% of all foreign-owned patents. The United States leads in volume, followed by Switzerland.
Of particular concern is the fact that Chinese companies are actively acquiring patents in strategically important sectors, such as:
Mechanical engineering
Automotive industry
Electrical engineering
Chemical industry
Experts note that this is happening against the backdrop of a slowdown in Germany’s domestic innovation growth. Many patents are transferred to Chinese owners through the acquisition of German companies, joint ventures, or direct purchase of rights.
“This is a serious signal for the German economy. We are losing control over the results of our own research and development,” said one of the study’s authors.
The German government and the Bundestag are already discussing possible measures to protect key technologies. The opposition is calling for stricter controls on foreign investments in high-tech sectors.