Global international patent applications experienced a modest increase of 0.7% in 2025, culminating in a total of 275,900 filings across the globe.
The United Nations reported on March 6th that the preceding year saw a substantial rise in international patents pertaining to digital communications technology and semiconductors, driven by an influx of investments in artificial intelligence.
According to an annual overview released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the global landscape for international patent applications expanded slightly, reflecting ongoing innovation in digital domains.
Chief economist Carsten Fink remarked that while the overall growth appears modest, there is a robust surge of activity in digital technologies.
The sector of digital communication notably surged by 6% last year, paralleled by a similar robust growth in semiconductor patent applications, marking the fastest expansion rates in the top ten technological fields for 2025.
“This trend unequivocally underscores the pivotal role of digital technologies as a catalyst for global innovation,” Fink articulated during a press briefing.
He further elaborated that this trajectory is indicative of the escalating investments in artificial intelligence, which are intensifying the demand for sophisticated computer infrastructure and semiconductors.
China Ascends Ahead of the US
Leading the way, China accounted for the highest number of international patent filings last year, submitting 73,718 applications—an increase of 5.3%.
In contrast, the United States filed 52,617 applications, reflecting a 3% decline, marking its fourth consecutive year of reduced patent activity.
Following China and the U.S., Japan was next with 47,922 filings, followed by South Korea with 25,016 and Germany with 16,441.
Dominating the charts, Chinese telecommunications titan Huawei continued to lead patent submissions with 7,523 applications, trailed by South Korea’s Samsung (4,698), U.S. firm Qualcomm (3,227), and LG Electronics (2,400).
Notably, 16 of the top 20 patent applicants hailed from the information and communications technology sector.
“The international patent filings, particularly in digital communication and semiconductor technologies, reflect how pivotal digital advancements are in shaping the global innovation landscape,” WIPO’s Director General Daren Tang concluded in the report.
He further emphasized that artificial intelligence emerges as the latest engine of growth, poised to revolutionize innovation methodologies.
Within the top 100 patent-filing enterprises, 32 are from Japan, 24 from China, and 17 from the United States.
L’Oreal Leads in Trademark Applications
Meanwhile, the total international trademark applications faced a decline of 1.5%, totaling 64,150 in 2025.
The United States submitted the highest number, with 10,997 applications, followed by Germany (6,106), China (5,636), France (4,026), and the United Kingdom (3,871).
French cosmetics leader L’Oreal maintained its dominance for the fifth consecutive year, with 274 applications. In a notable shift, U.S. gaming company Light and Wonder surged to second place with 105 applications.
Additionally, international protection applications for industrial designs rose by an impressive 9.4%, encompassing 28,588 designs, with recording and communications equipment representing the largest segment.
Leading the way in the design field, China recorded 5,911, followed closely by Germany (4,530), the United States (3,882), Switzerland (2,285), and Italy (2,015).
WIPO noted significant increases from the top two applicants, Huawei and Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software, along with contributions from U.S. technology giant Apple, in the design filings.
Rounding out the top five were Procter and Gamble, Dutch electronics and medical device titan Philips, and Samsung Electronics.
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