In Q3 2020, TIPO received a total of 18,895 applications for invention, utility model and design patents, not much different from the same period last year. Applications for trademark registrations (26,113 cases), on the other hand, hit a record high once again. Domestic applications registered a small increase for all three patents, while domestic trademark applications exceeded 20,000 for the first time in a single quarter. In terms of applicants, TSMC and QUALCOMM filed the most invention patent applications among domestic and foreign applicants, respectively. Invention patent applications filed by domestic SMEs have seen growth for 10 consecutive quarters now – an outstanding achievement.

The number of invention patent applications filed by domestic enterprises remained relatively unchanged from the same period last year, still accounting for 75% of all domestic applications filed. Of these, applications by SMEs grew by 17%, marking the tenth quarter of consecutive growth. This constitutes a positive development in terms of SMEs protecting their R&D achievements and enhancing their competitiveness.

As to the domestic applicants themselves, TSMC filed the most invention patent applications (389 cases), while L&F PLASTICS filed the most design patent applications (36 cases). Looking at non-resident applications, we see that Japan topped the list with 3,075 invention patent applications and 295 design patent applications. Among the largest filing companies, QUALCOMM and FORD took the lead with 213 cases for invention patent and 113 cases for design patent applications, respectively.

Applications for trademark registration came to 26,113 cases and encompassed 32,475 classes, an increase of 17% and 13%, respectively, over the same period last year. Applications filed by residents (20,493 cases) went up by 30%, whereas those by non-residents (5,620 cases) decreased. The number of resident applications filed in a single quarter exceeded 20,000, marking a record high. A breakdown by Nice class shows that class 35 (advertisements, business operations, etc.) received the most cases (3,763) by residents. Concerning individual applicants, UNI-PRESIDENT came out on top with 214 cases. As to non-resident applications, mainland China occupied first place with 1,245 applications filed. Class 9 (computer and technology products) led with 1,119 cases registered. Of all non-residents, GENIUS POWER filed the most applications (40 cases).

• Publish Date : 2020-11-27
• Update : 2020-11-27
• Organization : International Legal Affairs Office
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