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TIPO’s Q4 2023 IPR Statistics Report
TIPO’s Q4 2023 IPR Statistics ReportIn Q4 2023, TIPO received a total of 19,686 patent applications, an increase of 3% compared to the same period last year. Among them, invention patents increased 4% to 13,928. Trademark applications grew 2% to 23,250. As for invention patents, TSMC filed 342 applications, ranking first among residents, while Samsung Electronics (262) led all non-resident applicants for the second year in a row. The top resident and non-resident trademark applicants were Uni-President (235) and International Foodstuffs (81) from the UAE. The number of trademark applications filed by the top 10 resident and non-resident applicants all saw positive growth.Patent ApplicationsIn Q4 2023, TIPO received an overall of 19,686 patent applications. Among them, invention patents (13,928) and design patents (1,921) increased by 4% and 3% respectively, while utility model patents (3,837) decreased by 2%. The number of invention patents filed by residents grew by 3%, and those filed by non-residents across all three patents witnessed growth ranging from 5% to 45% (Table 1).Among the top ten resident applicants of invention patents, TSMC showed significant growth (+264%) by leading with 342 applications, followed by ITRI (210) and AU Optronics (128). However, MediaTek (82) ranked seventh, experiencing a decrease (-44%) due to a higher base period in the same period last year (Figure 2).Among the top five resident applicants for design patents, Acer (22) maintained its top position for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Chang Gung University of Science and Technology (16). Hon Hai (12) entered the top five for the first time since 2020 (Figure 3).Resident applicants filed a total of 5,409 invention patent applications, with enterprises accounting for 4,083 applications (5% increase). However, both colleges and universities (489) and research institutions (384) saw negative growth. Further breakdown by size showed that applications from large enterprises (3,342) and SMEs (741) grew by 6% and 1% respectively.Non-resident applicants filed 8,519 invention patent applications, marking a 5% increase. Among the top five countries (regions), Japan topped with 3,188 applications. Considered alongside Mainland China (1,144) and R. Korea (964), all three showed growth ranging from 8% to 16% (Figure 1).Among the top ten non-resident applicants for invention patents, Samsung Electronics from R. Korea outnumbered all others with 262 applications for the second year in a row. ASML (117) from the Netherlands, Screen Holdings (89) from Japan, LG Display (86) from R. Korea, and Resonac (84) from Japan each set new records for their respective companies. Additionally, Coupang (127) from R. Korea surpassed all others with a remarkable growth of 154% ((Figure 2).Among the top five non-resident applicants for design patents, all exhibited positive growth in the number of applications. Apple from the US not only surpassed other applicants in the number of applications (122) but also achieved a sharp growth rate (+259%). It is particularly noteworthy that Apple’s number of applications has exceeded 100 for the first time since 2013. Moreover, BMW (42) from Germany saw a remarkable increase of 200% as well (Figure 3).Trademark Applications23,250 trademark registrations were filed in 2023 across 29,004 classes, marking a 2% increase. Growth was mainly driven by a 9% growth among non-resident applicants (5,249). On the other hand, those from residents (18,001) saw a slight decrease of 0.5% (Table 1).The number of trademark applications from the top ten residents all showed positive growth, with Uni-President leading with 235 applications. Companies such as CHE TAI (73) and SULINE (55) showed sharp growth due to their lower base periods (Table 2). A breakdown by NICE classification shows that the highest number of residents (3,531) filed under class 35 (advertising, business management, retail and wholesale services, etc.) (Figure 4).Non-resident trademark applications were predominantly from Mainland China (1,185)(Figure 1). The number of applications from the top ten non-residents all showed positive growth as well. Of these, International Foodstuffs from the UAE) topped with 81 applications (Table 3). A breakdown by NICE classsification shows that non-resident applicants filed the most applications (1,025) in Class 9 (Computer and technology products, etc.)(Figure 5)Among industries, most trademark applications were filed under “Agriculture” (6,251), followed by “Business Services” (4,722), and “Health” (4,601) (Figure 6).Resident applicants showed a preference for "Agriculture" (5,218), mainly due to the larger number of trademarks applications in the restaurant and accommodation sectors. On the other hand, non-resident applicants have the most applications in "Research and technology" (1,590). Moreover, trademark applications filed under "Agriculture" by residents, as well as “Health” and “Clothing and accessories” by non-residents, experienced a shift from negative to positive growth. - 2
TIPO Statistics Report: Patent and Trademark Applications in 2023
TIPO Statistics Report: Patent and Trademark Applications in 2023In 2023, the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office received a total of 72,607 patent applications, marking an 1% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, invention (50,854 cases) grew by 1%, reaching a new high in 11 years. However, utility model patent applications (14,466 cases) decreased by 1%, while design patents (7,287 cases) experienced a positive turnaround, growing by 2%. Trademark applications amounted to 91,535 cases, reflecting a 3% decrease. As to examination efficiency, the average first action pendency was 8.9 months for invention patent applications and 6.2 months for trademark applications.Resident invention and design applications rose, while utility model applications fellIn 2023, invention patent applications (19,634 cases) increased by 1%, mainly due to a 4% rise in filings from corporations. However, utility model applications (13,309 cases) experienced a moderate decrease by 3%, marking a contraction between 2022 and 2023. Design applications (3,437 cases) showed a positive trend (+1%) after 6 years, driven mainly by surges in filings from schools and individuals (Table 1, Figure 2, Figure 3).Non-resident invention patent applications hit new high, while utility model and design patent applications also grewNon-resident applications for invention patents hit an all-time high at 31,220 cases (+1%), while utility model (1,157 cases) and design (3,850 cases) patents increased by 17% and 3%, respectively (Table 1, Figure 2).A breakdown by applicant nationality shows that Japan continued to claim the top with 13,504 overall patent applications in 2023, followed by the US (7,647 cases), mainland China (5,002 cases), the Republic of Korea (3,299 cases), and Germany (1,198 cases), with both mainland China and R. Korea reaching their record highs. Furthermore, R. Korea had the fastest growth rate of 19% among the top 5 countries (regions), while Mainland China also saw a sharp growth rate of 13%, while the US and Germany fell by 10% and 4%, respectively. Japan also led in the number of invention and design patent applications, and mainland China surpassed other countries in utility model applications (Figure 4).Trademark applications declined to the height before the COVID-19 pandemicThe number of trademark applications decreased by 3% to 91,535 cases (covering 114,680 classes, -6%), returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Notably, there was a 3% and 4% decrease in resident (71,960 cases) and non-resident applications (19,575 cases), respectively (Table 1, Figure 6, Figure 7).Among the top 5 trademark-filing countries or regions, mainland China (4,822 cases) took the lead, followed by the US (3,007 cases) and Japan (2,899 cases). Applications numbers filed by mainland China showed a rise of 12%, while those from the US and Japan were down 16% and 18%, respectively (Figure 8).UNI-PRESIDENT ranked No. 1 resident trademark applicant in Taiwan for 4th straight year, while TENCENT HOLDINGS led in non-residentsFor the fourth year in a row, Uni-President remained No.1 resident trademark applicant with 583 applications in 2023. It is followed by Taishin Int. Bank (454 cases) and Che Tai Int. (163 cases). With regard to non-resident applicants, Tencent Holdings of Cayman Islands moved up to the top with 118 applications, followed by Int. Foodstuffs of United Arab Emirates (93 cases) and L'Oreal of France (90 cases) (Figure 9).With regard to resident trademark applications, Class 35 (Advertising; business management; retail services) topped the list with 14,477 cases, followed by Class 43 (Services for providing food, temporary accommodation; 7,187 cases) and Class 30 (coffee, tea, pastries; 6,390 cases). Except for stable application numbers in Class 43 and Class 25 (Clothing, footwear, headwear; 2,896 cases), all application numbers for the top 10 classes decreased by 2.4% to 12.6% (Table 2).Regarding non-resident trademark applications, Class 9 (computer and technology) led with 3,910 cases. With the exception of Class 30 (coffee, tea, pastries; 1,116 cases; +6.7%), all application numbers for the top 10 classes decreased by 2.1% to 23.5% (Table 2).Invention patent application pendency remained stable to help build industry portfolioTIPO went full throttle to optimize examination quality and efficiency. As a result, the average first action pendency was 8.9 months for invention patent applications in 2023 (Figure 5). For trademark applications, the average first action pendency rose by 1.0 month to 6.2 months due to 8-year surges in trademark applications and limited manpower. However, 90,043 cases were disposed of in 2023, which accounts for 98.37% of trademark applications (Figure 10). - 3
Top 100 Patent Applications in 2023
Top 100 Patent Applicants in 2023TIPO’s 2023 Statistical Rankings for Patent Applications and Grants reveals that TSMC maintained its position as the top domestic patent applicant for the eighth consecutive year, filing 1,956 applications. As for foreign applicants, Samsung Electronics of the Republic of Korea moved up to the top spot for the first time, with a total of 978 applications. Furthermore, both the applications of TSMC and Samsung Electronics set record highs. With respect to overall patent grants, TSMC led the pack for domestic applications with 1,040 grants, and US-based Applied Materials was the most prolific foreign applicant with 591 grants.TSMC ranked top domestic applicant in overall patent applications and invention patent applications for 8th straight yearFor the eighth consecutive year, TSMC led the domestic applications with 1,956 cases of patent applications (+28%) in 2023. Among the top 10 applicants, TSMC, Mediatek (ranking 2nd with 544 cases) and Nanya Tech (ranking 5th with 373 cases) scaled their all-time high. In addition, Inventec (ranking 6th with 330 cases, +14%) and Delta Electronics (ranking 10th with 270 cases, +32%) hit their 10-year high and 15-year high, respectively (Table 1).The top 100 domestic patent applicants totaled 12,922 cases (+1%) in 2023, delivering a 7th consecutive year of growth. The number of invention patent applications (9,982 cases) saw a 4% increase, mainly driven by corporations and research institutes. Despite a 1% rise in utility model applications by industries, the total filings in utility model (2,273 cases) and design patent applications (667 cases) experienced declines of 6% and 16%, respectively. This was mainly attributed to the downturn in applications from schools and research institutes (Figure 1, Figure 2).Taiwan Cooperative Bank took lead in both overall patent applications and invention patent applications There were six banks among the top 100 domestic patent applicants in 2023. With an all-time high of 223 cases among all domestic banks, Taiwan Cooperative Bank topped the list of patent applications for the second consecutive year and secured the top spot for bank invention patent applications (35 cases). Following closely were the MEGA International Commercial Bank (195 cases) and CTBC Bank (144 cases) (Table 3).Among school applicants, Taipei Chengshin University of Science and Technology led in overall patent applications, while National Cheng Kung University was most active in filing invention patentsTwenty-four schools were among the top 100 domestic applicants for overall patent applications in 2023. Taipei Chengshin University of Science and Technology ranked first with 140 applications for the 4th straight year. Meanwhile, National Cheng Kung University (114 cases) claimed the first spot in school rankings for invention patent applications, followed by National Tsing Hua University (98 cases) and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (91 cases). Notably, National Chinyi University of Technology (ranking 4th with 88 cases) emerged as the leader among technology universities (Table 4).Industrial Technology Research Institute maintained its top position for overall patent applications for 23 years in a rowThree research centers were also among the top 100 domestic applicants for overall patent applications in 2023. The Industrial Technology Research Institute placed 8th in the overall rankings with 315 applications, maintaining its top position among research institutes for the 23rd consecutive year. Following closely were the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (101 cases) and Taiwan Textile Research Institute (42 cases), ranking 34 th and 90 th respectively (Table 5).Samsung Electronics claimed the top spot among foreign patent applicants for the first timeOn the foreign applicant front, Samsung Electronics of the Republic of Korea became the largest patent applicant with 978 applications for the first time in 2023, followed by US-based Applied Materials (779 cases) and Qualcomm (639 cases). Among the top 10 foreign applicants, Samsung Electronics, Japan-based Tokyo Electron (ranking 4th with 555 cases), Korea-based Coupang (ranking 6th with 454 cases), ASML Netherlands (ranking 7th with 309 cases), and US-based Lam Research (ranking 10th with 264 cases) all posted record high overall applications (Table 2).The top 100 foreign patent applicants collectively filed 14,910 cases (+2%) in 2023, mainly driven by the rise in invention (13,350 cases, +2%), utility model (185 cases, +2%) and design patent applications (1,375 cases, +5%) (Figure 3). - 4
2024 Taiwan-Japan Intellectual Property Symposium Concludes to Widespread Participation and Support
The 2024 Taiwan-Japan Intellectual Property Symposium, a collaborative effort of the organizers Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, in partnership with Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), opened on February 2, 2024 (Friday) at the NTU College of Law Tsai Lecture Hall. Remarks were delivered by distinguished guests 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 Dr. Cheng-Wei Liao. And also, Japan Patent Office (JPO) Director-General of Policy Planning and Coordination Department, Mr. Mikiharu Shimizu made some closing remarks which summarized the main points of the symposium.Speakers invited to the symposium included Director Masashi Omine from JPO Design Registration System Planning Office, Chief Judge Huei-Ju Tsai from the IP and Commercial Court, Senior Patent Examiner Ming-Feng Hsu from TIPO Patent Administration & Planning Division, and IP Lawyer Kaoru Kuroda from Abe, Ikubo & Katayama. Topics covered the protection of digital designs under the Japanese Design Act, the relationship between the metaverse and design patents, case studies of the utilization of design patent rights in Japan, and judicial practices of design patents in Taiwan.First, Director Masashi Omine gave an introduction to Japan’s Design Act, recent trends in design applications related to images, buildings, and interior decorations, as well as key revisions in the practical application and Examination Guidelines for Designs Including a Graphic Image. Senior Patent Examiner Ming-Feng Hsu then discussed international case studies related to the metaverse and practical protection of cross-disciplinary design applications, i.e. design patent infringement case against the Detroit Red Wings, and the invalidation of Candy Crush virtual candies in the EU.In addition, IP Lawyer Kaoru Kuroda from Japan shared examples of the utilization of design patent rights in Japan, highlighting the criteria for determining design patent infringement. Finally, Chief Judge Huei-Ju Tsai from the IP and Commercial Court used specific judicial cases in Taiwan to explain the process of design evaluation in the courts, including the overall observation, comparison of "common features" and "differential features," methods for ordinary consumers to determine whether they are similar, and key points to consider in visual effect judgments.The 2024 symposium garnered over 140 participants from the industry, government, and academia, who engaged in extensive exchange with experts from both Taiwan and Japan. By providing detailed information on regulations and relevant practices, TIPO hopes to facilitate better public understanding for the design patent regime and judicial practices of Taiwan and Japan. TIPO also hopes that it will serve as a reference for Taiwanese companies when applying for design patents and setting up patent portfolios in Japan. - 5
Interview Series on Outstanding Female Leaders in the Field of IP in Taiwan is Now Featured on the TIPO Website!
In the modern era of the knowledge economy, IP such as patents and copyrights, which highlight innovation and creativity, have become crucial assets for both individuals and businesses. The widespread gender disparity we see worldwide is especially stark in the field of IP. Regardless, both men and women contribute significantly to the field of IP.For insights into the career development of female IP professionals in Taiwan, TIPO produced a series of interviews entitled “Outstanding Female Leaders in the Field of IP in Taiwan.” The series is honored nine outstanding women, including Economic Minister Mei-Hua Wang, Chief Judge Huei-Ju (Grace) Tsai from the IP and Commercial Court, Professor Su-Hua Lee from the NTU College of LAW, Attorney Grace Shao from Baker & McKenzie, and Attorney Joyce I. Ho from Tsar & Tsai Law Firm.Three outstanding women from TIPO were also interviewed: Deputy Director General Yuh-Ying Chang, Chief of the Trademark Division Hu Ping-Lun, Deputy Chief of Patent Examination Division II Li Dong-Shiow, and Deputy Chief of Patent Dispute Examination Division Chao Ching-Ling.This series of interviews with outstanding female leaders in the field of IP demonstrates that as long as women are brave enough to rise to the challenge, they can excel even in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as science, engineering, and technical fields. Through interdisciplinary learning and practical experience in areas like technology, law, and management, women can leverage their unique attributes to forge successful careers and make a path for themselves.The Outstanding Female Leaders in the Field of IP in Taiwan interview series is now featured on TIPO’s official website (in the gender equality section). Through this series of interviews, we hope to inspire women to breakthrough gender barriers and chase their dreams, as well as to encourage more women to begin a career in IP. - 6
Announcing Updates to the Trademark Classification for Goods and Services
TIPO has made adjustments to the designated goods/services names in trademark applications in response to the latest (12th) edition of the " Nice Classification " (2024). A total of 422 items have been added, 56 items deleted. An additional 15 modifications have been made to class/subclass names or annotations, as well as 25 corrections.The aforementioned changes shall take effect on January 1, 2024. The list of designated goods/services categories and names will be updated on the online trademark filing system as well (for an official timeline of website updates, please refer to the TIPO Information Management Office.)Applicants wishing to use the fast-track mechanism on the online trademark filing system after January 1, 2024 are advised to download the latest updates. This ensures consistency between the designated goods/services names stated in the application and the content in the electronic filing system, avoiding discrepancies that could jeopardize eligibility for the fast-track mechanism, as well as associated fee reductions. - 7
Amendments to the Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startups
TIPO implemented the Positive Patent Examination Pilot Program for Startups in 2022. According to statistics from the past two years of project implementation (up until November 30, 2023), a total of 25 startups applied for the program in 2023, which marks a 3.1-fold increase compared to 2022. Approval rate surged to 100% in 2023, compared with 84.6% in 2022.The average processing times for applications in 2022 and 2023 (from the application date to the notification date of the examination results) were 70.1 and 71.6 days, respectively. This represents a significant reduction in processing times compared to ordinary invention patent applications, an indication that program support plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency of patent applications for startup companies.TIPO recognizes that many startups derive patent applications from the research outcomes transferred from other persons, and that the eligibility requirements of the current program hinder patent acquisition for such startups. Therefore, TIPO has decided to renew the program from January 1, 2024 with relaxed requirements for eligibility. Previously, applicants must establish a startup before the initial patent application in order to qualify. Now, startups may qualify as an applicant under the new revisions as long as it holds the right to apply for the invention patent. TIPO aims to expedite the patent application process for more startup companies through these revisions. - 8
TIPO’s AI Chatbot “Tipo” Goes Live on Dec. 5!
TIPO is proud to introduce “Tipo,” our new AI chatbot, which went live on December 5. Tipo provides 24/7, real-time patent consultation services to meet the needs of creators, who need quick and immediate answers.Since establishing the online service center in August 2011, TIPO has been offering consultations to the public for electronic applications, online payments, and patent application procedures. TIPO fields almost 40,000 calls annually, demonstrating its unwavering commitment and service.As such, TIPO has amassed years of customer service experience and an extensive FAQ database for patent inquiries. On the basis of this foundation, TIPO introduced the AI customer service chatbot Tipo to provide rapid responses to common patent questions, allowing applicants access to answers anywhere and anytime. - 9
TIPO Releases “Report on Key Technologies and Patent Analysis for Waste Management in the Global Semiconductor Industry” for Public Reference
ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is currently one of the hottest topics in the semiconductor industry, closely related to the concept of the circular economy. In the traditional linear economy, resources are obtained, transformed into products, used, and eventually discarded as waste. Managing and recycling waste or reducing resource waste in the manufacturing process is crucial for the semiconductor industry's circular economy (or ESG). For instance, purifying waste resources into semiconductor-grade chemicals and reintegrating them into the manufacturing process to achieve sustainable goals through green practices.The report focuses on copper recovery, silicon slurry recovery, and hydrogen recovery within waste management in the semiconductor industry. Data is compiled and organized, and relevant patent trends are included within the report. Key technologies have also been selected for in-depth analysis. The aim is to provide insights and inspiration for the development of green circular economy practices in the domestic semiconductor industry. - 10
TIPO Welcomes Experts from the German Patent Office (DPMA) to Taiwan
In November, TIPO welcomed experts from DPMA to visit Taiwan and conduct bilateral exchanges on intellectual property.Various topics were discussed, including the legislative framework and practices of the German utility model system. Unlike the German system, which originally aimed to protect creations with lower technical content and tangible shapes, the utility model patent system in Taiwan is widely used to protect inventors' patents.During the visit, three experts from DPMA, including Dr. Volker Rüger, Head of Central Unit - International Affairs, Mr. Jörg-Eckhard Dördelmann, Head of the Legal Division and Chief of the Utility Model Revocation Procedure Unit, and Ms. Antje Wielage, Head of the Utility Model Division and Chair of Cancelation Proceedings, delivered presentations on topics such as the German utility model system, practices, and case law, DPMA's measures in response to the EU’s Unitary Patent System that officially launched on June 1, 2023, and patent data retrieval.Experts from both sides discussed and exchanged views eagerly, contributing valuable insights for Taiwan's ongoing efforts to optimize its patent system.Furthermore, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral intellectual property exchanges between Taiwan and Germany, TIPO arranged a visit to Taiwan's ITRI Technology Transfer and Law Center. During the visit, DPMA experts were introduced to IP programs and services provided by ITRI to assist domestic SMEs, offering insights for the DPMA to strengthen IP support for German SMEs. - 11
TIPO’s Information Session on Trade Secret Management for Academic and Research Institutions
TIPO held an information session on November 8, 2023 to enhance measures for managing trade secrets within academic and research institutions.During the event, TIPO provided an overview of the evolution of Taiwan’s Trade Secrets Act and explained the current status of trade secret protection.The National Health Research Institutes (NHRI) shared insights into implementing confidential management of research results. The Agricultural Technology Research Institute (ATRI) highlighted the necessity of managing research and development outcomes, drawing examples from recent intellectual property litigation in domestic agriculture. The Institute for Information Industry's Science and Technology Law Institute (STLI) shared perspectives on the current state of trade secret management in Taiwan, Japan's legislative progress, and practical judgments, offering guidance on establishing or improving mechanisms for trade secret management.TIPO hopes that this event will guide academic and research institutions to prioritize and strengthen the protection of trade secrets. - 12
2022 Global Patent and Trademark Applications Summary
In 2022, the five IP offices (IP 5) and TIPO experienced a 2.1% to 2.5% increase in patent applications. CNIPA received 1,619,268, EPO received 193,460, and TIPO received 50,242, all showing growth compared to the previous year. Other patent offices remained relatively stable. For utility models, only CNIPA saw an increase, totaling 2,950,653 applications. Conversely, both design patents and trademarks decreased for the five major patent offices and TIPO.In terms of granted patents and trademark registrations, CNIPA stands out with a significant 14.7% increase in the grant of invention patents, totaling 798,347. TIPO also experienced a 1.6% year-on-year increase, reaching 37,175 granted patents. USPTO witnessed a 7.3% growth in trademark registrations, totaling 362,597. JPO demonstrated growth in both invention patents (201,420) and design patents (29,540), with a 7.5% to 9.2% increase, along with trademark registrations (322,768 classes). Conversely, other patent offices saw decreases in various granted patents and trademark registrations.As to the distribution of patent applications in different technical fields in 2022, EPO handled the highest number of invention patent applications in "Digital Communication," while USPTO and CNIPA dominated in the field of "Computing Technology." JPO and KIPO focused on "Electronic Mechanical Energy Devices," and Taiwan prioritized the field of "Semiconductors."For design patent applications, the most common category across JPO, USPTO, and TIPO was "Data Processing Equipment, etc.," which ranked third at EUIPO and CNIPA.With regard to the top five classes of trademarks across TIPO and the five trademark offices (TM 5) shows that "Computers and Technology Products, etc." consistently ranked among the top three, while "Scientific and Technical Services" secured a place in the top five for EUIPO, JPO, and USPTO.This analysis underscores the active engagement of applicants in forward-looking technological innovation and business strategies in Taiwan, the United States, Japan, Europe, South Korea, and mainland China. - 13
TIPO Thanks Public Support for the 2023 TIPA International Symposium on Trademark Protection and Litigation
TIPO partnered with the Intellectual Property and Commercial Court to hold the hybrid conference on November 17 at the NTU College of Law Tsai Lecture Hall. The goal was to help businesses recognize the importance of establishing and managing a comprehensive trademark portfolio to serve as a valuable reference for their international market channels and brand development.Focusing on trademark protection, litigation, portfolio, and strategies in Europe and America, the symposium invited the following notable speakers: Mr. Gary Ma and Mr. Mark Sommers, partners at Finnegan; Mr. Heinz Goddar and Mr. Sebastian Engels, Partner and Attorney at Law at BOEHMERT & BOEHMERT; Mr. David Wang, Deputy Director of TIPO’s Trademark Division; Mr. Ben Kao, Legal Director at Giant; and Ms. Wu Lijuan, Legal Director at Acer.Insights of trademark protection and litigation strategy in the US, Europe, and Taiwan, as well as brand management and IPR strategy for multinational corporations were shared at the Symposium. The proceedings of the symposium will be published in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Training Academy's TIPA IP Monthly Issue for further reference. - 14
US and Taiwan Signs MOU on the Secure Exchange of Patent Data
On November 22, 2023, Taiwan and the US signed the MOU on the Secure Exchange of Patent Data, streamlining and reducing the cost of patent priority claims for Taiwanese applicants who annually file over 20,000 patent applications in the United States.The annual number of patent applications filed by Taiwanese applicants in the United States has consistently been around 20,000 in recent years. The numbers rose a significant 6% from 2021 to 2022. The MOU aims to alleviate this burden by facilitating the secure exchange of priority documents between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office and the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).The collaboration between Taiwan and the United States on the electronic exchange of priority documents began in 2016 through TIPO and USPTO’s bilateral discussions. Given the importance of information security, both confirmed details related to information equipment and transmission meticulously.After continuous efforts from both sides, the MOU was finally signed this year. This milestone in the deepening of our relations with the US follows the implementation of the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) project in 2011, and the signing of the MOU on Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Cooperation in 2017.To create an environment conducive to international patent applicants, TIPO has launched electronic priority document exchange (PDX) program with Japan and South Korea in 2013 and 2016 respectively. Furthermore, the PDX programs were expanded to design patents with Japan and South Korea in 2019 and 2021 respectively. The recent expansion in PDX collaboration with the US shall greatly increase the convenience of Taiwanese applicants filing patent applications in the US, as well as for US applicants filing in Taiwan – a mutually beneficial arrangement.The MOU was signed by the Deputy Representative Johnson S. Chiang of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and AIT/W Managing Director Ingrid D. Larson.Following the signing, TIPO and USPTO will conduct verification tests on information systems. Upon the completion of information security equipment testing by both offices, the implementation start date will be publicly announced. - 15
Tutorial Video on the Patent Application Document Error Detection System is Now Online!
TIPO introduced the Patent Application Document Error Detection System to the public on September 28. To use this system, applicants need to complete their patent documents in .docx format and then log on to the TIPO Net website. Users can access the "Patent Application Document Error Detection System [Beta]" dashboard by clicking on the link, and then import patent documents onto the system.TIPO has also created tutorials for the system to help applicants (or agents) become familiar with the operation. The goal is to improve the quality and efficiency of patent applications, as well as reducing turnaround for official documents between the applicants and the TIPO. The system is open to the general public. - 16
Template and Guidelines for Power of Attorney is Now Available on TIPO’s Website
To address issues of ambiguity and disputes arising from the language and terminology used in power of attorney during the patent formality check procedure TIPO has introduced a standardized template and provided guidelines for filling out Power of Attorney (POA) forms for patents. The template was created in accordance with current patent regulations and content requirements specified by IP 5. The templates and guidelines are available online for public reference. - 17
TIPO’s Q3 2023 IPR Statistics Report
In Q3 2023, TIPO received a total of 18,310 patent applications (including invention, utility model, and design patents), marking a 1% increase over the same period last year. Of these, the number of invention patent applications (12,670) also grew by 1%. Trademark applications stood at 23,632 cases, with a drop of 7%. For invention patents, TSMC (443 applications) has topped the list for eight straight years among resident applicants, while Samsung Electronics (285 cases) leapt to the top of the list of all non-resident applicants. For trademarks, Taishin (264 applications) and Tencent (38 applications) ranked first among resident and non-resident applicants, respectively.Patent ApplicationsTIPO received 18,310 patent applications, most of which were invention patents (12,670) marking a slight increase of 1%, compared to the same period (Q3) last year. The number of applications for both utility model (3,782) and design (1,858) remained relatively unchanged. In addition, resident applications for invention patents went up by 1% and non-resident applications for overall patents grew by 1% to 14% (Table 1).Most of the top 10 resident applicants for invention patents saw double-digit growth. TSMC filed 443 applications, outnumbering other resident applicants for eight consecutive years. Delta (67 applications) saw the highest growth rate with 103%, and Nuvoton (62 applications) hit a new record high (Figure 2).In terms of resident applicants for design patents, CGUST (33 applications), the only university in the top 5 applicant list, claimed the top spot for the first time, setting its all-time-high record and seeing the highest growth rate with 313%. Delta (14 applications) rose rapidly by 100%, and Hi-Joint Tech (10 applications) entered the top 5 list, claiming fifth place (Figure 3).Residents filed 4,830 invention patent applications (Table 1). Of these, the number of applications filed by domestic enterprises (3,912) and state-owned enterprises (21) grew by 6% and 91% respectively, while that of colleges and universities (375) and research institutions (105) fell. Further breakdown by firm size shows that applications from large enterprises (3,242) went up by 7%, whereas those from SMEs (670) dipped.The number of invention patent applications filed by foreign applicants (7,840) increased by 1% (Table 1). Of these, Japan filed the most with 3,100 applications, and R. Korea saw the highest growth of 28% (Figure 1). Among the top 10 applicants, Samsung Electronics (KR) leapt the top spot with 285 applications. Others include Coupang (KR) (168 applications), Tokyo Electron (JP) (168 applications), Resonac (JP) (67 applications), and Shin-Etsu Chem (JP) (65 applications), all of which reached their respective all-time-high records. In addition, applications from Coupang soared by 291%, the highest growth rate among all non-resident applicants (Figure 2).As for non-resident applicants of design patent filings, the number of applications filed by all the top 5 applicants showed positive growth. Of these, BMW (DE) came out on top with 63 applications (Figure 3).Trademark ApplicationsCompared to the same period last year, trademark applications reached 23,632 (covering 29,478 classes), going down by 7%. The number of applications filed by residents (18,790) and non-residents (4,842) both declined (Table 1).Most of the top 10 resident applicants saw positive growth. Taishin filed 264 applications, outnumbering all other applicants (Table 2). A breakdown by Nice classification shows that most applications (3,772) were filed under Class 35, “Advertising, Business Management, Retail and Wholesale Services, etc.” (Figure 4).Mainland China filed the most non-resident applications (1,246)(Figure 1). Most of the top 10 non-resident applicants also experienced positive growth. Of these, Tencent (KY) topped the list with 38 applications (Table 3). A breakdown by Nice classification shows non-resident applicants filed the most applications (983) in Class 9, “Computer and Technology Products, etc.” (Figure 5).The top 3 industry categories for trademark applications were “Agriculture” (6,303 applications), ”Business Services” (4,840 applications), and “Health” (4,745 applications)(Figure 6). Most residents filed applications under “Agriculture” (5,372), 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” (1,609). - 18
TIPO’s Search System for Music Information is Now Online
To facilitate public access to song information and copyright management details, as well as to streamline the licensing process, TIPO has created a search system for music information. The system integrates data from the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) system, the Taiwan Popular Music Database, and copyright data managed by collective management organizations.Over 450,000 data records can be found on the site, sharing information about songs and copyrights management. Compatible with multiple devices, including Android and iOS, users can quickly and conveniently determine the CMO responsible for a particular song – useful information for acquiring licenses.The system is available to the public and all are welcome to use its services. - 19
TIPO Compiles Examples of Right of Priority Documents for Public Reference
In light of the significance of proper documentation to establish rights of priority, TIPO has specifically set up a database with examples of priority documents for patent applications on its website. The hope is to prevent errors when applicants submit documents and also, to uphold their rights. Applicants can refer to the examples to verify whether the document they received is indeed, a priority document.The database includes the most common examples of priority documents in recent years. It excludes specific patent content and removes any identifying information from the cover pages. Additionally, it provides non-priority document examples and notes on what applicants should be mindful of for reference. - 20
2022 Trends & Comparisons: Taiwan Invention Patent Applications and WIPO PCT Applications
The number of applications for invention patents continues to grow in Taiwan. In 2022, 50,242 invention patents were filed in Taiwan, an increase of 2.3% due to surging growth between 9.4-16.1% in applications from the US, Mainland China and Korea. On the other hand, WIPO accepted approx. 278,100 PCT applications, marking the slowest increase of 0.3% in 13 years since 2009.Resident applications were mostly from the 6 major municipalities, as well as Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County, accounting for 92.3% of all invention patent applications filed in 2022. Applications from the top 3 cities (Taipei, New Taipei, and Hsinchu) collectively accounted for 55.4%, up by 4.7 percentage points compared to 2018. Applicants residing in Hsinchu City (4,455) filed the most applications in 2022, followed by applicants from Taipei City (3,154) and New Taipei City (3,129).In 2022, the field of semiconductors (with a share of 14.5%) had the most invention patent applications in Taiwan, followed by computer technology; computer technology claimed top spot (10.4%) in published WIPO PCT applications, followed by digital communication (9.4%).A further comparison reveals that the top ranking field in Taiwan, “semiconductors,” ranked tenth (accounting for 3.3%) at WIPO. This demonstrates Taiwan’s prowess and advantage in semiconductors. However, although “digital communication” and “medical technology” claimed two out of the top five spots in WIPO PCT applications, they were not among Taiwan's top ten technology fields of invention applications.Top filing countries (regions) mostly filed invention applications in “semiconductors” in Taiwan. In 2022, Taiwan received the largest number of applications in “semiconductors” from Taiwan, Japan, the US, Mainland China, and Korea (from 11.7% to 22.5%). Germany filed mostly in organic fine chemistry (10.8%).WIPO statistics reveals that applications from top filing countries were primarily in “computer technology,” “digital communication,” and “electrical machinery, apparatus, energy”. Mainland China (15.7%) and the US (13.1%) filed more applications in “computer technology.” Japan and Germany filed extensive patents in “electrical machinery, apparatus, energy” (approximately 11%). Korea filed mostly in “digital communication,” “computer technology” and “electrical machinery, apparatus, energy” (10%~11%).TSMC led in the number of invention patent application filings in Taiwan. For the fourth consecutive year, TSMC (1,534) filed the most applications in Taiwan in 2022, followed by Applied Materials (847, US), Qualcomm (763, US) and Samsung Electronics (666, KR). At WIPO, Huawei topped for the sixth consecutive year with 7,689 cases in 2022, followed by Samsung Electronics (4,387, KR) and Qualcomm (3,855, US); the latter two both claimed top 10 spots in Taiwan as well.“Semiconductors” accounted for most number of applications among the top 10 applicants in Taiwan. Six of the top 10 applicants in 2022 filed most applications in “semiconductors” in applications filed in 2019-2021, including TSMC (37.2% ~ 80.6%). On the other hand, six of the top 10 WIPO PCT applicants in 2022 had the most applications in “digital communication” (26.9% ~ 70.4%), including Huawei (CN).In comparison, Samsung Electronics (KR) filed mostly for “semiconductors” in Taiwan, and primarily for “digital communications” in WIPO – showing significant differences in their patent portfolio. On the other hand, Qualcomm (US) filed the greatest number of applications in “digital communication” both in Taiwan and WIPO, followed by “audio-visual technology” and “telecommunications,” exhibiting the smallest difference in patent portfolio.