TSMC Tops Patent Applications for Ninth Consecutive Year
Filed 562 Invention Patents in Q2; Hon Hai Follows with 101, Over Twice the Previous Count; Delta Electronics and Macronix Show Double-Digit Growth
[By Reporter Ou Hsin-Meng / Taipei]
The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office under the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced yesterday (July 31) that it received a total of 17,349 patent applications in the second quarter of this year, covering three categories of patents. Among these, invention patent applications saw a slight increase of 1%, with growth recorded from both domestic companies and academic institutions. TSMC led the field with 562 invention patent applications, securing the top spot for the ninth consecutive year. Hon Hai came in second with 101 applications, marking a strong increase of more than double from the previous period.
According to the ministry’s statistics, trademark registration applications reached 24,525, up 3% and setting a record high since Q2 of 2015. Among domestic applicants, Uni-President led with 192 applications, while Chayue Cultural (Hong Kong) filed the most among foreign applicants with 51.
In Q2 of this year, there were 12,073 invention patent applications, up 1% from the same period in 2024. However, utility model and design patent applications fell to 3,609 and 1,667 respectively. Of all patent applications, domestic and foreign applicants accounted for 52% and 48%, respectively. Domestic applications for invention patents alone increased by 5%, while foreign applications for utility models rose by 9%; other types of patent applications declined.
Domestic applicants filed 4,914 invention patent applications, with companies accounting for 3,913 of them, reflecting a 5% increase. The top three corporate applicants were TSMC (562 applications), Hon Hai (101), and AUO (91). TSMC has held the top spot for nine consecutive years since Q2 2017. Notably, Hon Hai, ranked second, recorded the highest growth rate at 274%.
Other notable performances include TSMC (82% growth), Delta Electronics (67%), and Macronix (18%), all showing double-digit increases. Delta Electronics and Macronix have also posted positive growth for two consecutive years, reflecting a strong ambition in patent portfolio expansion.
There were 794 design patent applications from domestic applicants. Keyway led with 58 applications, reclaiming the top position after an eight-year gap since Q2 2017. Dih Hong Plastic, ranked third, entered the top five for the first time.
Trademark registration applications totaled 24,525, marking a 3% increase. In terms of classifications, there were 31,230 classes registered, a 6% rise and the highest volume since Q2 2015. The ratio of domestic to foreign applications stood at 78% to 22%.
Among domestic trademark applications (19,090 in total), the top three filers were Uni-President (192 applications), Taiwan Steel (96), and the National Applied Research Laboratories (86), all showing positive growth.
The top three trademark classes applied for by domestic applicants were: Class 35 (advertising, business operations, and wholesale/retail services) with 3,803 applications; Class 43 (restaurants, lodging, etc.) with 1,845; and Class 30 (coffee, tea, pastries, etc.) with 1,586.
[Economic Daily News, August 1, 2025, Page A13 (Tax & Legal Affairs)]
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