Largest Firms for PCT Patent Applications 2023: Country Breakdown
In WIPO’s 2024 study, China maintained its lead as the primary applicant for PCT applications, with the US, Japan, Korea, and Germany trailing behind.
Consistently reflecting this trend, IP Pilot‘s analysis of patent representations reveals a notable predominance of Chinese-based IP law firms. To be more precise, among the Top 1000 IP law firms for PCT patent applications in 2023, 33% originated from China, accounting for a total of 55,865 filings; 21% from Japan, totaling 34,448 applications; 20% from the US, with 33,422 applications; 9% from Korea, comprising 15,397 applications; and 4% from Germany, totaling 6,393 applications.
As for the overarching trends concerning the top law firms for PCT patent applications, the volumes of international filings represented by these firms exhibited a steady increase from 2019 to 2023. The most notable surges occurred in 2020, with a remarkable growth rate of 12%. Unsurprisingly, this significant growth was driven by the surge in the number of PCT applications prosecuted by Chinese representatives.
It’s indeed fascinating to note that since 2019, certain Chinese firms from the top 50 firms for PCT patent applications have witnessed a remarkable surge, with growth rates equaling or even surpassing 100%.
Notably, among these rising stars are firms that have strategically aligned themselves with the burgeoning giants of the domestic market. For instance, PURPLEVINE IP GROUP experienced significant growth through its collaboration with TCL Technology Group, a Chinese electronics company partially owned by the state. UNITALEN is another example, having become the main representative of the expanding Haier Group Corporation, a multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company, since 2021. Similarly, JIAQUAN IP LAW FIRM has seen growth as a representative working closely with ZTE, which is also partially state-owned. Additionally, SHENPAT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGENCY has emerged as a key representative of Huawei, further contributing to the surge in PCT filings.
Simultaneously, certain surging players in the Chinese IP industry were attracting work from prominent international applicants. For instance, NTD PATENT & TRADEMARK AGENCY LTD directed its focus toward collaborating with the US-based Qualcomm, while KING & WOOD MALLESONS concentrated its business efforts around Finnish giant Nokia.
Total Number of Filings for the Top 100 Firms for PCT Patent Applications
Following China, Japan emerged as the second-largest country among the top firms for PCT patent applications. Although not witnessing a surge equivalent to China’s, Japanese representatives maintained their strong positions in the ranking.
Here are some of the prominent patent law firms displayed in the ranks: SHIGA INTERNATIONAL PATENT OFFICE, SAKAI INTERNATIONAL PATENT OFFICE, ITOH INTERNATIONAL PATENT OFFICE, SOEI INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW, and FUKAMI PATENT OFFICE.
According to WIPO statistics, the United States ranked as the second-largest origin of PCT applications in 2021.
However, US associates were not prominently represented in the Top 50 rank of firms for PCT patent applications.
The few leaders include FISH & RICHARDSON, KILPATRICK TOWNSEND, KNOBBE MARTENS, FOLEY & LARDNER, and SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER.
Two factors could potentially explain this inconsistency. Firstly, there may be numerous mid-sized law firms in the US actively involved in PCTs.
Secondly, the internal IP departments of companies in the United States hold relatively strong positions. For example, key corporations such as General Electric, Microsoft, or IBM often represent themselves without external assistance. Once included, they could easily make it onto the Top 50 list.
Rank: The Top 50 Firms for PCT Patent Applications
A trend similar to the US can be observed in Europe and Germany in particular. While European patent law firms may not have been listed among the largest 50 firms for PCT patent applications, the IP departments of European corporations such as Robert Bosch GmbH, Ericsson, or Siemens AG alone would easily make it onto the top 50 list if included.
In conclusion, WIPO’s 2024 study underscores China’s continued dominance in PCT applications, with a significant lead over other countries. Chinese-based IP law firms have notably risen to prominence, representing a substantial portion of international filings, particularly in collaboration with domestic industry giants. Japan and the United States follow China, maintaining their strong positions in the ranking, albeit with differences in representation by law firms versus internal corporate IP departments. Similarly, while European firms may not feature prominently in the top ranks, the IP departments of European corporations hold considerable weight in international patent filings. These trends highlight the evolving landscape of global intellectual property, shaped by strategic alliances between law firms and industry players across different regions.