International Tech Patent Digest: Key Developments in Last 10 Days
International Tech Patent Digest: Key Developments in Last 10 Days
International patent applications via WIPO’s PCT rose 0.7% in 2025 to 275,900 filings, driven by digital communication (11.1% of applications) and semiconductors, fueled by AI investments.
- China led with 73,718 applications (up 5.3%), followed by US (52,617, down 3%), Japan (47,922), South Korea (25,016), and Germany (16,441).
- Huawei topped company filers with 7,523 applications, ahead of Samsung (4,698), Qualcomm (3,227), LG Electronics (2,400), and Contemporary Amperex Technology (2,203).
- 16 of top 20 applicants are in ICT; University of California led academic filers with 488 applications.
USPTO shifts under Director John A. Squires signal promising 2026 outlook for AI patents, overturning a PTAB decision on AI model improvements and emphasizing eligibility in AI, crypto, quantum computing, and diagnostics.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang highlighted digital technologies and AI as key innovation drivers, with semiconductors showing fastest growth.
UK Supreme Court ruling on Emotional Perception AI abolished the Aerotel test, aligning UK AI patent eligibility with global standards (March 12, 2026).
HEVC Advance and VVC Advance patent pools expanded in 2025, covering 75-80% of global HEVC patents (over 29,000) and 4,500+ VVC patents, with new licensees including Huawei, Sharp, HP, and Xiaomi.