News
81Top 100 Patent Applicants in 2022
TIPO’s 2022 Statistical Rankings for Patent Applications and Grants reveals that TSMC maintained its position as the top domestic patent applicant for the seventh consecutive year, filing 1,534 applications. As for foreign applicants, Applied Materials secured the top spot for the first time, with a total of 881 applications. With respect to the numbers of patents granted for all three patent types, TSMC led the pack for domestic applications (1,196 patents granted), and Qualcomm was the most prolific foreign applicant (573 patents granted). TSMC ranked top among domestic applicants for 7th straight yearCompanies active in the semiconductor, display, and ICT industry sectors headed the list of top 10 domestic applicants. With 1,534 cases, TSMC has consistently filed the most applications since 2016. Acer (530 cases) and AU Optronics (505 cases) came in second and third, respectively. Mediatek’s application filing surged by 58% (412 cases), while Nanya Tech (371 cases) and Innolux (336 cases) each filed their highest number of applications over the last 10 years (Table 1).The top 100 domestic patent applicants filed 12,771 cases in 2022, a year-on-year increase of 4%. The number of invention (9,555 cases) and design patent applications (793 cases) were up 4% and 14%, respectively. The growth in applications was mainly driven by corporations and educational institutions. Furthermore, the filings in utility model patent applications (2,423 cases) also grew by 3% (Figure 1, Figure 2).Taiwan Cooperative Bank took lead; MEGA International Commercial Bank applied for the most invention patentsThere were six banks among the top 100 domestic patent applicants in 2022. Taiwan Cooperative Bank (220 cases) headed the list of patent applications, followed by the Bank of Taiwan (214 cases) and MEGA International Commercial Bank (205 cases), which also claimed the top position for bank invention patent applications (53 cases). Taishin International Bank (87 cases), meanwhile, made its debut on the list for the first time (Table 3).Among school applicants, Taipei City University of Science and Technology lead in overall patent applications, while National Cheng Kung University was most active in filing invention patentsTwenty-eight schools were among the top 100 domestic applicants for overall patents. Taipei City University of Science and Technology ranked first with 162 applications for the third straight year. Meanwhile, National Cheng Kung University (135 cases) claimed first place in school rankings for invention patent applications, followed by National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (125 cases), National Tsing Hua University (108 cases), and National Taiwan University (77 cases) (Table 4).Industrial Technology Research Institute remained in top position for invention patent applications filed by research institutionsTwo research centers were also among the top 100 domestic applicants for patents across various types. The Industrial Technology Research Institute placed eighth in the overall rankings with 331 applications, while the Metal Industries Research ranked 41th with 87 filings (Table 5).Applied Materials headed foreign patent applicants for the first timeOn the foreign applicant front, the top 10 companies were mainly active in the semiconductor, ICT, and chemistry industry sectors. Applied Materials became the largest patent applicant with record-high 881 applications, while smartphone IC designer Qualcomm fell one notch to second place with 763 patent applications. Samsung Electronics took the third spot with 675 applications, the most it has filed in the last 10 years. Moreover, Meta Platforms Technologies (293 cases) and Shin-Etsu Chemical (275 cases) made their first appearance on the list for the first time (Table 2).The top 100 foreign patent applicants collectively filed 14,556 cases (+3%) in 2022, mainly driven by the rise in invention (13,069 cases) and utility model patent applications (181 cases), with growth rates of 6% and 22%, respectively (Figure 3).
82TIPO’s New Trademark Online Application System Launched
TIPO launched the New Trademark Online Application System in 2022 to enhance the convenience of online trademark applications. The system offers a range of frequently-used application forms, such as those for graphic, color, sound, and three-dimensional trademarks, as well as certification marks. In addition, said system provides forms for various services, includingamendments, withdrawals, divisions, pre-registration changes, registration renewals, etc.As of December 2022, the new version of the system has achieved a utilization rate of 98.4%. The previous trademark online application system, launched in 2008, will remain closed indefinitely. For system-related assistance or suggestions, please email [email protected]
83Analysis of Trends in Trademark Applications Filed in 2017-2021
On November 21, 2022, WIPO released the latest edition of the World Intellectual Property Indicators 2022 (WIPI 2022), which provides information on various aspects of trademark worldwide for the year 2021, including the total number of applications and registrations, first OA and disposal pendency, final decision data, and application class counts per GDP and capita. TIPO analyzed trademark application trends for both foreign enterprises and industrial development of local counties and cities by referring to WIPI 2021 data and Taiwan’s trademark registration statistics from the past five years. The analysis evaluated the potential industrial development of Taiwan's industries by examining the classes of goods or services designated in trademark applications and compared them with global application trends. This analysis culminated in the report Analysis of Trends in Trademark Applications Filed in 2017-2021.The report indicates that the number of trademark applications worldwide in 2021 was nearly 14 million, covering over 18.1 million classes, with significant growth of 5.5%. Due to effective prevention measures and public cooperation with government policies, without any large-scale lockdown or stringent public quarantine measures, Taiwan's economy remained relatively unaffected by the impact of the pandemic and is currently in recovery. The report also shows a slight increase of 1.15% in the number of foreign trademark applications filed in Taiwan compared to the previous year.The Analysis of Trends in Trademark Applications Filed in 2017-2021 can serve as a valuable reference for the development of industry IP portfolios, brand building, and market trend forecasting.
84TIPO’s Q4 2022 IPR Statistics Report
In Q4 2022, TIPO received a total of 19,130 patent applications (including invention, utility model, and design patents), which remained steady compared to the same period last year. Among them, 13,370 invention patent applications were filed, marking a 3% increase. Trademark applications, on the other hand, stood at 22,890 cases with a drop of 8%. As for invention patent applicants, ITRI ranked first (213 cases) among resident applicants, outnumbering the others for the second year in a row; Samsung Electronics (212 cases) led all non-resident applicants. The top resident and non-resident trademark applicants were Cathay Life Insurance (128 cases) and FindSatoshi Lab (37 cases), respectively. Patent ApplicationsCompared to the same period (Q4) last year, overall patent applications (19,130 cases) received by TIPO saw a slight decrease of 0.4%. Of these, the majority were invention patents, with 13,370 cases and a 3% increase. Both resident applications (5,265 cases) and non-resident applications (8,105 cases) increased, with the former showing a higher growth rate (6%) compared to that of the latter (1%) (Table 1).As for resident applications, ITRI filed the most invention patent applications (213 cases), surpassing other applicants. Inventec (76 cases) registered a considerable growth rate of 171%. The number of applications filed by Mediatek (147 cases) and Nan Ya Plastics (64 cases) hit their decade highs (Figure 2).In terms of design patent applications, Acer filed the most applications with 40 cases. Getac (30 cases) and AUO Display (13 cases) entered the top 5 list for the first time (Figure 3).The number of invention patent applications from domestic enterprises (3,896 cases) and colleges and universities (541 cases) both grew by 10%.The number of invention patent applications filed by foreign applicants (8,105 cases) saw a small increase of 1% (Table 1). Japan filed the most with 2,942 cases (Figure 1). Among the top 10 applicants, Samsung Electronics leaped to the top of invention patent applications for the first time by filing 212 applications. The number of invention patent applications filed by Samsung Electronics, LG Display (82 cases), and Lam Research (71 cases) are at their all-time highs (Figure 2).As for design patents, Ford Global Tech came out on top with 44 applications. PSA (22 cases) saw a growth rate of 120%, and Japan Aviation hit a new record high with 24 applications, entering the top 5 list for the first time (Figure 3).Trademark ApplicationsCompared to the same period last year, trademark applications reached 22,890 cases (covering 29,252 classes) and saw a decrease of 8%, given a higher base period last year. The number of applications filed by residents (18,088 cases) and non-residents (4,802 cases) both decreased (Table 1).As for trademark applicants, Cathay Life Insurance filed 128 applications, outnumbering all other resident applicants (Table 2). Most of the number of applications filed by the top 10 applicants increased. In terms of the classes resident applicants filed under, most applications (3,734 cases) were filed under Class 35, “Advertising, Business Management, Retail and Wholesale Services, etc.” (Figure 4)Among non-resident applicants, mainland China filed the most applications (909 cases) (Figure 1). FindSatoshi Lab Limited, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, ranked first among non-resident applicants with 37 applications, surpassing all others (Table 3). The number of applications filed by the top 10 applicants all saw positive growth. Regarding trademark classes, non-resident applicants filed the most applications (1,065 cases) in Class 9, “Computer and Technology Products, etc.” (Figure 5)The top 3 industry categories trademark applicants filed under were “Agriculture” (6,116 cases), “Business Services” (4,982 cases), and “Health” (4,595 cases). Most applications filed by residents were under “Agriculture” (5,243 cases), the majority of which were for the hospitality industries. On the other hand, most non-resident applications were filed under “Research and technology” (1,738 cases) (Figure 6).
852022 National Invention and Creation Award Winners Announced
The National Invention and Creation Award recognizes creative endeavors and acknowledges the inventive contributions of its awardees. This year's winners, 43 outstanding entries in total, have just been announced and will share the total grant of $8.7 million NTD. Among the winners were 6 gold and 20 silver medals in the invention category, as well as 6 gold and 11 silver medals in the creation category. One of the gold medalists of the Invention Award presented the patent "Sport posture analysis system and method thereof," which uses built-in sensors in rackets to detect players' swinging motion, generating accurate, objective and efficient training data. This invention has been recognized by the International Table Tennis Federation and was utilized in the para-athletics classification system during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympics.The Taiwanese government established the National Invention and Creation Award to encourage innovative research and development and honor exceptional invention, utility model, or design patents. The competition attracted a total of 459 eligible entries vying for the highest accolade, including 382 entries for the invention award and 77 for the creative award, showcasing active participation from industry, academia, and research institutions. Entries showcased unique innovations and applications in various technical fields and were evaluated fairly by being divided into groups based on their respective technical fields. Winners were selected through rigorous preliminary and secondary evaluations conducted by experts and scholars and will be awarded certificates, trophies, and prizes.TIPO highlights that many of the awarded patents have been successfully commercialized and patented in multiple countries, which indicates significant market potential. The winning patents span various industries, including "Liquid Crystal and Photonics," "Information and Communication," "Biotechnology and Medicine," "Medical and Industrial Materials," "Intelligent Machinery," and "Circular Economy." By recognizing the award winners, TIPO hopes to facilitate commercialization and industrialization of innovative R&D achievements, which play significant roles in Taiwan’s economic growth.The winners will receive their awards at the 2023 National Industrial Innovation Joint Award Ceremony in April this year. Their winning entries will be showcased at the 2023 Taiwan Innotech Expo from October 12-14, garner interest from both local and international investors, and generate business prospects for inventions and innovative works in Taiwan.
86Metaverse-Related Technology Analysis Report Published for Public Reference
The emergence of Metaverse is expected to drive significant advancements in extended reality (XR), digital service platforms, and internet technologies. To assist in understanding core technologies of the Metaverse, TIPO has analyzed 107,000 patents related to the Metaverse that were filed before 2021. Based on their structures and themes, 32 crucial patents have been selected and further analyzed to provide the latest insights on the core technology and patent trends in the Metaverse. This report also features suggestions regarding Metaverse patent application and examination for reference to the public.
87TIPO Releases International Patent Trend Analysis Report on Carbon Capture Technology
Aimed at intensifying efforts to fight climate change, the Glasgow Climate Accord calls for a reduction in the use of coal and establishes the basic rules of the global carbon market. In line with this, the National Development Council of Taiwan published Taiwan’s Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions in 2050 in March last year, which identified "carbon capture, utilization, and storage" as one of its 12 key strategies.In response, TIPO is focusing on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and has compiled relevant patent information (published before the end of December 2021) from various countries. Said information will be subject to further analysis to provide a comprehensive view of overall patent trends, global patent filing trends for related technologies, and filing trends at major patent offices. Furthermore, TIPO will conduct a thorough analysis of the most frequently cited and industry-relevant patent cases related to carbon capture technologies in high-emission industries (e.g., petrochemicals, steel industry, etc.). Based on this analysis, TIPO will release the International Patent Trend Analysis on Carbon Capture Technology for public reference.
88TIPO Launches New Inquiry System for Patent and Trademark Certificates and Rights
TIPO has made available the "Inquiry System for Patent and Trademark Certificates and Rights" service since 2017, allowing users to search the latest rights status using an array of search criteria, such as certificate number, application number, rights holders/agents, publication date, and patent title or trademark name. Additionally, users can scan QR codes on patent and trademark certificates for immediate access to information.The Office has redesigned the website of the service with a focus on a user-friendly interface to improve efficiency and service quality. The new website features include the following:1. Optimized operation for enhanced convenience and mobile device compatibility.2. Unlimited search results per search, eliminating the previous display limit of 500 results.3. Customizable display of search result pages and number of results per page for ease of browsing.TIPO is pleased to announce the pre-launch of its redesigned website, developed to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. The website is now open for a trial run - all interested parties are welcome to test out its features!
89TIPO Enhances Online Systems with Addition of New Administrative Appeal and Litigation Case Information
TIPO has collaborated with the Petitions and Appeals Committee of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Judicial Yuan to increase the accessibility of intellectual property information in Taiwan. As a result of this partnership, TIPO has integrated patent and trademark case information (including this year and the last five years) and litigation information (dating back to 2021) into systems such as "Patent Public Information Inquiry System", "Trademark Search," and the "My Filings" section on the e-Filing platform, allowing users to access complete case information. These services were officially made available to the public on December 19, 2022.Users can now browse administrative appeals and litigation information and download the full text of appeal decisions and litigation judgments directly. Additionally, the “Patent Public Information Inquiry System” has been optimized to provide a more convenient and intuitive inquiry feature. All parties are welcome to utilize these services.
90CCUS in 2050 Net Zero Transitions – An Opportunity for Business Growth
Renewable energy plays a critical role in achieving carbon neutrality, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is considered the final stretch towards net zero emissions. TIPO has compiled an analysis report on CCUS patent application trends and an overview of the patent landscape in this field for public reference.TIPO reports 12,610 global CCUS-related patent technologies (patent families), with 7,406 families in carbon capture, 4,399 in carbon utilization, and 805 in carbon storage – numbers continuously growing as the importance placed on addressing climate change increases. The Office’s analysis of the global patent landscape revealed a correlation between market sizes, level of importance placed on related issues, and number of patent applications. China, Europe, and the United States now have the record for the highest number of applications, most of them being local applications.Carbon absorption is the most prevalent and advanced technology among carbon capture methods, accounting for 39.1% of all related applications. Said method involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions using an absorbent. Adsorption technology, which accounts for 26.7%, is the next most prevalent, utilizing an adsorbent to bind carbon dioxide. Membrane separation technology, accounting for 12.5%, employs a thin film of organic or inorganic material to separate carbon dioxide from other gases. Although absorption technology continues to lead the field, there is an increasing trend in patent applications for adsorption and membrane separation, indicating that various companies and organizations worldwide are exploring a diverse range of carbon capture technologies.TIPO’s report highlights that despite the limited presence of patent applications for carbon capture technology in Taiwan, certain companies and research institutions are actively pursuing research and patenting said technologies. As an example, the Industrial Technology Research Institute and Taiwan Cement Corporation are collaborating to capture carbon dioxide through calcium looping process in order to reduce energy consumption and additional carbon dioxide emissions in the cement production process, demonstrating a leadership role in carbon capture technology.Carbon utilization technology has a broad range of applications, including the conversion of carbon dioxide into chemicals like methanol and methane, and even into novel carbon-based materials such as graphene, carbon tubes, and carbon fibers. Of the various methods for reusing carbon dioxide, the numbers of patent applications for converting carbon dioxide into methanol (11.4%) and methane (8.3%) are relatively high. Major companies, including CPC Corporation and Formosa Plastics Corporation, are investing in such technologies to boost competitiveness in the petrochemical industry. The China Steel Corporation has also leveraged its close proximity to local petrochemical companies and formed partnerships in steel and chemical co-production to optimize carbon capture and utilization/usage (CCU) benefits. Furthermore, with limited R&D in the field of novel carbon materials and a majority of investors being start-up companies, converting carbon dioxide into novel carbon materials could be a potential new business opportunity for SMEs in Taiwan.Applications for carbon storage technologies primarily come from countries or companies that possess oil and gas resources, with 48.1% of the applications focused on the technology of underground injection of carbon dioxide into reservoirs during oil and gas extraction. The implementation of carbon storage technology is limited in Taiwan due to the absence of natural gas or oil production, regulatory hurdles, and the requirement to gain consent from nearby residents for underground injections of carbon dioxide.As of recent, carbon pricing has been skyrocketing, and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent as countries move toward a consensus on reducing carbon emissions. TIPO emphasizes that industries should stay informed about the global CCUS patent landscape and proactively leverage their strengths and resources to research and develop new technologies so as to seize business opportunities in sustainability, leading to a positive impact on both the environment and the economy in the transition to a zero-carbon economy.For related information, please see:https://www.tipo.gov.tw/tw/cp-85-916712-4b1c5-1.html
91The 2023 Taiwan-Japan Intellectual Property Symposium: A Resounding Success!
The 2023 Taiwan-Japan Intellectual Property Symposium, a collaborative effort of the organizers Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, in partnership with co-organizer Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), was held on January 10th at the GIS MOTC Convention Center. It brought together an esteemed group of guest speakers, including Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Deputy Secretary-General Ching-Hung Lin, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Deputy Representative Dr. Takashi Hattori, Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) Director-General Shu-Ming Hung, and Japan Patent Office (JPO) Policy Planning and Coordination Department Director-General Mikiharu Shimizu (remarks read on his behalf by Director Tauchi Koji of the Multilateral Policy Office, International Policy Department).The Symposium featured detailed presentations from JPO Multilateral Policy Office Director Tauchi Koji, TIPO International Affairs and Planning Division Director Chi-Hsien Chou, Wisdom International Patent & Law Office Registered Japanese Patent Attorney Kai Furihata, and Jou and Jou Patent Offices Patent Attorney Mike Jou. The speakers delved into the latest developments and initiatives of JPO, offered insights on the patent-related support measures provided by the Taiwanese government for enterprises to develop overseas markets, introduced the nuances of the Japanese invention patent system, and shared actionable strategies for applying and efficiently acquiring Japanese patent rights.Over 110 participants attended the 2023 Taiwan-Japan Intellectual Property Symposium, bringing together industry, government, and academia. The Symposium sparked a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights among participants and experts from both Taiwan and Japan, and fostered vibrant and engaging discussions throughout the event.
92Revisions to Part I of the Patent Examination Guidelines Come into Effect on December 1, 2022
TIPO has made revisions to Part I of the Patent Examination Guidelines regarding procedural examination and patent rights management. Main revisions are as follows:I. Chapter 1 - Procedures for Filing Patent Applications and Related Patent MattersElectronic signatures are on the rise. As the documents submitted for patent applications are primarily governed by private law, an electronic signature may be accepted as long as both parties can agree to the validity thereof. TIPO has therefore revised "1.2.4 Signatures for Electronic Documents" to relax requirements for signature formats. The signee only needs to provide a form of signature (whether it be a signature, stamp, or electronic signature) that matches the signature on the application documents.II. Chapter 3 – Patent ApplicantIn accordance with adjustments made to procedural examination, revisions have been made to “3.1 Inventor Change," "4.1 Applicant Name or Title Change," "4.5 Inventor Name Change," and included case studies to help the public better understand the principle of examination. The revisions also specify that applicants who are able to rectify inconsistencies on documents submitted with their applications do not fall under this category. In accordance with a judicial ruling, TIPO also included a case study explanation regarding name changes for different applicants who belong to the same entity.III. Chapter 5 – Filing DateThe establishment of the filing date is closely tied to the patent applicant provided on the application. To clearly stipulate that the cause for decisions on postponement of the filing date, revisions were made to “1.1 Application” for further clarification. The three relevant scenarios were also listed as "Change in Applying Entity," "Addition of Listed Applicants," "Decrease in Listed Applicants.”VI. Chapter 7 – Patent Priority and Grace PeriodAdded an example of incorrect priority document to the “1.5 Documentation and Submission Timelines for Priority.”V. Chapter 8 - Deposit of Biological MaterialsAdded revision to "4. Documentation for Deposit of Biological Materials" stipulating that a depository not an international depositary authority (IDA) under the Budapest Treaty must include viability information as required documentation.VI. Chapter 19 – Change of Patent RightsRevised “6. Recordation of Pledge Establishment ” and “6.2 Requisite Application Documents” in accordance with changes to Article 67 of the Enforcement Rules of the Patent Act announced on October 20, 2022.VII. Other RevisionsRevisions to all other chapters made in accordance with the relevant revisions to official regulations and procedural examination.
93New Upgrades to TIPO’s Digital Services – Online Certificates for Patents and Trademarks Available from 2023
To ensure TIPO offers more comprehensive digital services that better align with global trends, TIPO plans to offer online certificates for patents and trademarks from January 2023. The paperless process will make it more convenient for right holders to obtain and save their certificates, as well as reduce the cost of printing and mailing paper copies – a beneficial step towards achieving sustainable development goals of conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions.For the applicant’s convenience, TIPO will not make online certificates mandatory for all. The applicant may choose either an online or paper certificate when requesting their patent certificate or paying trademark registration fees. Should the applicant require a paper certificate later on, those who choose to receive an online certificate may apply for a paper copy.Upon receiving notification from TIPO that their certificate has been issued, applicants can download the online certificate by entering their verification code at the specified site within six months. Applicants may also obtain their online certificates through the E-SET e-delivery system. Afterwards, applicants will be able to access their online certificates on the e-portal with their digital certificate, under “My Applications.”TIPO's online certificates will be provided via PDF formats for easy circulation. The online certificates will be equipped with anti-counterfeiting measures that require verification and digital signatures, as well as a QR code. Right holders may upload digital files of their certificates onto TIPO's system or scan the QR codes to quickly verify the authenticity of their patent certificates, as well as access any updates to the status of their rights.
94Revisions to the Industry Collaborative Patent Interview Pilot Program Will Take Effect Jan 3rd, 2023
TIPO has implemented the Industry Collaborative Patent Interview Pilot Program (hereinafter referred to as "the Program") from November 1st, 2021, to October 31st, 2022. The Program has been well received by the public. To further enhance the process of collaborative patent interviews, TIPO has made revisions to the Program and plans to renew the trial period for another two years. This Program aims to provide applicants with swift and smooth patent rights application experience and assist them in building their patent portfolio. The interviews with applicants allow patent examiners to better understand the application's advanced technical content, thus enabling them to conduct an efficient and high-quality examination. Patent applicants may proactively submit a letter of intent in paper or electronic form.
95Patent pledge registration will no longer require a patent certificate, and relaxation of the reasons for applying for the reissuance or renewal of a patent certificate
To relax regulations and safeguard the rights of patent holders and pledgees, revisions were made to the Enforcement Rules of the Patent Act and promulgated on October 20, 2022. The application process for patent pledges have been simplified, and reasons for reissuance or renewal of patent certificates have been relaxed. Highlights of the revisions are as follows:I. Deleted requirement that applicants filing for a patent pledge must include the patent certificate, as well as requirement stipulating that patent pledge information must be included within patent certificate.II. Added “Change in Requisite Information to be Included on Patent Certificate” as a reason for applying for the re-issuance or renewal of a patent certificate. Added the requirement for the Specific Patent Agency to void the original patent certificate upon the re-issuance or renewal of a new patent certificate.
96TIPO’s Report on Net Zero Emissions Measures by International CMOs and Music Industries Shares Latest Updates on Carbon Reduction Measures Adopted by Music Industries Abroad!
Climate change and the environment are some of the major issues impacting our generation. As such, TIPO has compiled the Report on Net Zero Emissions Measures by International CMOs and Music Industries focused on efforts by the music industry to combat climate change. The report introduces carbon reduction and net zero emission measures adopted by foreign music industries and CMOs in the fight against climate change. TIPO hopes that by providing a reference for Taiwanese people, our music industries can transition to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future.The report is available on the official TIPO website under Net Zero Emissions IP Information for public download.
97TIPO’s Q3 2022 IPR Statistics Report
In Q3 2022, TIPO received a total of 18,174 patent applications (including invention, utility model, and design patents) as well as 25,310 trademark applications, marking an increase of 0.2% and 2% compared with the same period last year, respectively. Invention patent applications saw a growth of 3%; TSMC, ranking first (277 cases) among resident applicants, outnumbered the others for the seventh year in a row, and Qualcomm (220 cases) led all non-resident applicants. The top 3 industry categories for trademark applications were filed under “Agriculture,” “Business Services,” and “Health.” Most trademark applications filed by residents and non-residents were under “Agriculture” (5,866 cases) and “Research and technology” (1,918 cases), respectively. Uni-President (191 cases) ranked top among resident applicants, whereas Ipplus Technology (150 cases) filed the most applications among non-resident applicants.Patent ApplicationsAmong the three types of patent applications, those for invention patents were the most filed (12,555 cases), marking a growth of 3% over the same period last year (Table 1). The increase was mainly due to the applications filed by non-residents. On the other hand, the number of utility model and design patent applications decreased.The number of invention patent applications from domestic enterprises (3,704 cases) fell by 1%. Of these, the applications filed by large enterprises (3,020 cases) grew by 0.3%, while that of small and medium enterprises (684 cases) decreased.As for resident applications, TSMC filed the most invention patent applications (277 cases), surpassing other domestic applicants for seven consecutive years. The number of applications filed by UMC (118 cases) and Innolux (89 cases) hit their historic highs, seeing a remarkable growth of 13.75 and 43.5 times, respectively, compared to the relatively low applications filed in the same period last year (Figure 2). The former ranked second among resident applicators, the highest position it has ever achieved since TIPO first published its Q3 record in 2012.In terms of design patents, Acer filed the most applications (40 cases) and retained the top spot for two consecutive years. Tarng Yu (15 cases) saw the highest growth rate, with an increase of 150% (Figure 3).Domestic invention patent applications filed by colleges and universities (454 cases) grew by 9%; of these, National Cheng-Kong University ranked first with 36 cases. Research institutions filed 132 applications, and ITRI topped the list with 47 applications. Banks, insurance companies, and securities and futures companies cumulatively filed 62 applications, with Mega International Commercial Bank as the biggest applicant (13 cases).For non-resident applications, invention patents (7,779 cases) grew by 5% compared to Q3 last year and accounted for the majority of all three types of patent applications (Table 1). Among non-resident applicants, Japan led with 2,942 invention patent applications, and those from the USA (1,973 cases), Mainland China (1,006 cases), and R. Korea (689 cases) increased by 9%-36%. As for design patents, Japan also came out on top with 197 applications (Figure 1).As for the top 10 non-resident applicants, Qualcomm led the list of invention patent applicants by filing 220 applications, followed by Applied Materials (218 cases) (Figure 2). Among design patent applicants, Koninklijke Philips ranked first with 49 applications; Apple and Cartier tied for second place, each filing 29 applications (Figure 3).Trademark ApplicationsCompared to the same period last year, trademark applications (25,310 cases) received by TIPO grew by 2%; the number of classes covered (32,105 classes) also showed the same growth rate. The number of resident applications (19,789 cases) was up by 4%, while that of non-residents (5,521 cases) decreased (Table 1) .In terms of the top 5 classes resident applicants filed under, most applications (4,071 cases) were filed under Class 35, “Advertising, Business Management, Retail and Wholesale Services, etc.” The applications under Class 41, “Education, entertainment, etc.” marked the highest growth rate with 18% (Figure 4). Most of the applications of the top 10 applicants increased. Uni-President filed 191 applications, outnumbering all resident applicants (Table 2).Among non-resident applicants, Mainland China filed the most applications (1,153 cases). The applications from Japan (980 cases), R. Korea (472 cases), and Singapore (458 cases) increased; all growth fell in the range of 26%-263%, while those from the USA (808 cases) dropped (Figure 1). In terms of application classes, non-resident applicants filed the most applications (1,089 cases) in Class 9, “Computer and Technology Products, etc.” The applications for Class 3, “Cosmetics and detergents, etc.” saw the highest growth rate with 10% (Figure 5). A first-time applicant, Ipplus Technology, filed 150 applications, outnumbering all other non-resident applicants (Table 3).The top 3 classes trademark applicants filed under were “Agriculture” (6,913 cases), “Business Services” (5,423 cases), and “Health” (4,900 cases). Most applications filed by residents were under the class “Agriculture” (5,866 cases), the majority of which were for the restaurant and accommodation industries. On the other hand, most non-resident applications were filed under “Research and technology” (1,918 cases) (Figure 6).
982021 Comparison of Trends in Invention Patent Applications in Taiwan and WIPO PCT Applications
In 2021, TIPO received 49,116 invention patent applications, while WIPO received an estimated number of 277,500 international patent applications (PCT applications) filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Of Taiwan’s invention patent applications, semiconductors (6,360) and computer technology (4,283) took the top 2 spots among 35 technology fields. However, computer technology (26,092) remained the main technology field among WIPO PCT applications, while semiconductors (8,346) ranked 10th. As for applicants, TSMC and Huawei took the lead in Taiwan and WIPO PCT applications, respectively. Moreover, Qualcomm and Samsung Electronics were both among the top 10 applicants in Taiwan and WIPO PCT applications.Invention applications rebounded in Taiwan while WIPO PCT applications maintained a modest growthOverall invention patent filings in Taiwan rebounded with an increase of 5.3% in 2021, following the decline in 2020 brought on by a drop in non-resident filings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, WIPO PCT applications grew by 3.6% in 2020, attributable to the surging growth in applications from China. However, the number of applications decreased in March and from September to year-end, seeing a slight yearly increase of 0.9% overall (Fig. 1, Fig. 2, and Fig.3).Taipei-Hsinchu accounted for 56.3% of resident invention applications in Taiwan in 2021Applicants residing in Hsinchu City filed the most applications in 2021, at 4,711, followed by applicants from Taipei City (3,282) and New Taipei City (3,007). The top three cities combined accounted for 56.3% of all applications filed in 2021, up by 6.2 percentage points compared to 2017. On the other hand, Hsinchu City saw the fastest growth (+23.3%) in 2021, followed by Hsinchu County (+7.9%) and New Taipei City (+1.6%) (Fig. 4).Semiconductors and computer technology took top spots in Taiwan and WIPO PCT applications, respectively, in 2021In 2021, semiconductors (6,360, +19.6%) topped the technology fields of invention patent applications in Taiwan, while the field of computer technology had the most WIPO PCT applications published (26,092, +7.2%). Both the top ten technology fields in invention applications in Taiwan and WIPO PCT applications included semiconductors, computer technology, electrical machinery, audio-visual technology, measurement, and pharmaceuticals (Table 1).Furthermore, semiconductors topped all technology fields, accounting for 12.9% of invention applications in Taiwan in 2021 but ranked 10th with a share of 3.2% in WIPO PCT applications. This indicates that Taiwan remains outstanding in the semiconductor industry. On the other hand, digital communication and medical technology claimed two out of the top three spots in WIPO PCT applications. However, they were not among Taiwan’s top ten technology fields of invention applications.Health-related technology fields grew both in Taiwan and in WIPO PCT applications, with pharmaceuticals reporting the fastest growth in 2021In Taiwan, pharmaceuticals rose by 26.3% in 2021, followed by biotechnology (+19.1%), while medical technology remained stable (-0.1%) after a surge in 2020. As for WIPO PCT applications, pharmaceuticals also had the fastest growth of 12.8% in 2021, followed by biotechnology (+9.5%) and medical technology (+6.0%) (Table 1, Fig. 5).Certain top filing countries (regions) that mostly filed invention applications in semiconductors, computer technology, or organic fine chemistry in Taiwan primarily filed WIPO PCT applications in computer technology, digital communication, or electrical machineryFor invention applications received by TIPO, Taiwan, Japan, the U.S., and the Republic of Korea filed the most applications in semiconductors (shares of 12.0~18.3%). On the other hand, computer technology accounted for the largest proportion of applications (13.9%) for Mainland China, while Germany filed the most in organic fine chemistry (11.6%). The top three technology fields of the two aforementioned countries (regions) did not include semiconductor (Table 2).WIPO PCT applicants from Mainland China (a share of 15.6%) and the US (12.4%) filed more applications in computer technology; those from Japan and Germany filed intensively for patents related to electrical machinery (10~11%). The top technology field in R. Korea was digital communication (11.5%). The top three technology fields of these countries did not include semiconductor (Table 2).TSMC led in the number of invention patent application filings in Taiwan, while Huawei remained the top filer of WIPO PCT applications in 2021As regards invention applicants in Taiwan, TSMC (1,950) filed the most applications in 2021, followed by Qualcomm (845) and Applied Materials (758). Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), coming in tenth, is the only research institute among the top 10 applicants. The top 10 WIPO PCT applicants were all businesses. Of them, Huawei topped with 6,952 WIPO PCT applications published in 2021, followed by Qualcomm (3,931) and Samsung Electronics (3,041); the latter two both claimed top 10 spots in Taiwan as well (Fig. 6).Seven of the top 10 applicants in Taiwan were also top filers in the field of semiconductors, while most top 10 WIPO PCT applicants had the greatest shares in digital communicationSeven of the top 10 applicants in Taiwan (Fig. 6), TSMC, Qualcomm, Applied Materials, Samsung Electronics, Tokyo Electron, AU Optronics, and Kioxia, are also among the top 10 applicants in semiconductors. Furthermore, TSMC, Applied Materials, ASML, and AU Optronics claimed the top in computer technology, electrical machinery, optics, and audio-visual technology, respectively (Table 3).Six of the top 10 WIPO PCT applicants filed most applications in digital communication, including Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Huawei, Guang Dong OPPO Mobile, LG Electronics, Qualcomm, and Samsung Electronics. On the other hand, Mitsubishi Electric had its largest share in thermal processes and apparatus, BOE Technology filed intensively in semiconductors, Panasonic Intellectual Property Management filed mainly in electrical machinery, and Sony filed most in computer technology (Fig. 7). For more information (in Mandarin), please visit https://www.tipo.gov.tw/tw/cp-174-219414-a1c98-1.html
99TIPO Publishes English Version of the “Patent Examination Guidelines, Part II: Substantive Examination for Invention Patents, Chapter 12 Computer Software Related Inventions”
TIPO has released its English version of the “Patent Examination Guidelines, Part II: Substantive Examination for Invention Patents, Chapter 12 Computer Software Related Inventions.” This should help to enhance the international IP community’s understanding of Taiwan’s patent examination process of computer software related inventions and improve services provided to foreign applicants of computer software related inventions. Those interested are welcome to access the Guidelines below.Click the attachment below to download the “Patent Examination Guidelines, Part II: Substantive Examination for Invention Patents, Chapter 12 Computer Software Related Inventions.”
100TIPO has Added a New Chapter on “Green Industries” to the Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services in Response to Goals to Reach Net Zero by 2050
The Executive Yuan has passed amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act on April 21, 2022. The Act has been renamed the “Climate Change Response Act,” and officially declares net zero emission of greenhouse gases by 2050. The specific approach targets greenhouse gases from the manufacturing, transportation, agricultural industries, as well as from residential activities and utilizes negative carbon technology (carbon capture, storage, and reuse) and natural carbon sinks (forests and ocean sorption) to balance carbon emissions in order to reach net zero emissions. TIPO has added the “Green Industries” chapter to the Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services, and the chapter is divided into six fields: “Green Energy,” “Clean Energy Transportation,” “Carbon Rights, Carbon Economy and Related Commercial Trading of Electricity,” “Pollution Treatment and Reutilization,” “Green Buildings to Zero-Carbon Buildings,” and “Green Industry-Related Certification Mark, Certification Process Guidance, and Educational Training.” This distinction will help industries understand the scope of trademark rights they should get to protect their businesses, make the right choice of designated good or service when registering a trademark, and cross-reference the goods and services listed in the NICE classification for their industry. The Industry Trademark Application Strategy Manual for Designated Goods and Services is available for public reference.
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