In Q4 of 2020, Taiwan received a total of 19,389 applications for invention, utility model and design patents—a decrease of 4% compared with the same period of the previous year. For trademark applications, 24,591 cases were filed—an increase of 9%, owing to a sharp rise in resident applications. In terms of invention patent applicants, TSMC and Qualcomm continue to rank highest in number of applications filed by domestic and foreign applicants. In addition, the number of invention patent applications filed by domestic SMEs has seen growth for 11 consecutive quarters, while that from schools has increased by more than 10% over the same period of the previous year, showing outstanding performance.

The number of invention patent applications filed by domestic enterprises has increased slightly compared with the same period of the previous year, accounting for 72% of all domestic applications filed. Among them, applications by SMEs rose by 14%, continuing an 11-quarter growth streak. This shows that SMEs have become increasingly more aware of the importance of intellectual property protection, which is of positive significance for the strengthening of competitiveness. As to the domestic applicants themselves, TSMC filed the most invention applications (332 cases), while Acer filed the most design patent applications (32 cases). TSMC has been top-ranking in the number of domestic invention patent applications filed in Q4 for 6 consecutive years.

The number of invention patent applications filed by domestic colleges and universities increased by 15% from the same period last year; among them, National Tsing Hua University filed the most with 42 cases. By contrast, the number of invention patent applications filed by research institutions decreased; of these, the Industrial Technology Research Institute filed the most with 183 cases. Looking at non-resident applications, we see that Japan topped the list with 2,929 invention patent applications and 279 design patent applications. Among the largest filing companies, Qualcomm and DAF Trucks took the lead with 203 cases for invention patent and 68 cases for design patent applications, respectively.

Applications for trademark registration came to 24,591 cases (31,422 classes), an increase of 9% over the same period last year. Applications filed by residents (18,834 cases) went up by 16%, whereas those by non-residents (5,757 cases) decreased. Class 35 (advertisements, business operations, etc.) received the most cases (3,489) by residents. Concerning individual applicants, Uni-President came out on top with 306 cases. As to foreign applicants, the United States ranked first with 1,162 applications. Class 9 (computer and technology products) led with 1,151 cases filed. Of all foreign applicants, Apple filed the most applications (45 cases).

• Publish Date : 2021-02-20
• Update : 2021-02-20
• Organization : International Legal Affairs Office
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