I. Overview

In Q2 2025, the TIPO received a total of 17,349 patent applications, representing a 2% decrease compared to Q2 2024. Among the three types of patents, invention patents saw a slight increase of 1%, with both domestic enterprises and universities reporting growth. Among resident applicants, TSMC led with 562 applications, while Applied Materials (US) was the top non-resident applicant with 242 applications.
 
Regarding trademark filings, 24,525 trademark registrations were accepted in Q2 2025, an increase of 3% compared to the same period in 2024. Since a trademark application may include multiple classes, the total number of application classes reached 31,230, up 6% year-over-year. This marks the highest level of trademark filings since Q2 2015. Among resident applicants, Uni-President Enterprises ranked first with 192 applications, while CYYS (HK) Brand Management Limited led non-resident applicants with 51 applications.

II. Patent Filing Trends

1. Slight Increase in Invention Patents, Decline in Utility Models and Design Patents
   
   In Q2 2025, 12,073 invention patent applications were filed, reflecting a 1% increase from Q2 2024. However, applications for utility model (3,609 applications) and design patents (1,667 applications) both declined. Resident and non-resident applicants accounted for 52% and 48%, respectively, of all filings. Among residents, only invention patents increased (by 5%), while among non-residents, only utility model patents grew (by 9%). All other categories experienced declines.

 

2. Filings by Resident Applicants
   1. TSMC and L&F Plastics, Co., Ltd. Lead in Invention and Design Patents, Respectively
      
      Resident applicants filed 4,914 invention patent applications, with enterprises accounting for 3,913, a 5% increase. The top three corporate applicants were: TSMC (562 applications), Foxconn (101 applications) and AU Optronics (91 applications). Notably, TSMC has maintained the top position for nine consecutive years since Q2 2017. Foxconn showed the highest growth at 274%, followed by TSMC (82%), Delta Electronics (67%), and Macronix (18%). Both Delta and Macronix have recorded two consecutive years of growth, indicating a strong commitment to patent development.
      
      For design patents, resident applicants filed 794 applications, with L&F Plastics, Co., Ltd. leading at 58 applications, regaining the top spot for the first time in eight years since Q2 2017. Notably, DIH Horng Industrial Co., Ltd. entered the top five for the first time, ranking third.

 

2. National Chin-Yi University of Technology and Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) Top Academic and Research Institutions
   
   Universities filed 468 invention patent applications, up 7% year-over-year. The top three academic applicants were: National Chin-Yi University of Technology (36 applications, a record high for the university), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (25 applications) and National Cheng Kung University (23 applications). Among research institutions, 84 invention patent applications were filed, with ITRI leading at 32 applications.

 

3. Filings by Non-resident Applicants
   1. Applied Materials and Beijing Roborock Technology Lead in Invention and Design Patents, Respectively
      
      Non-resident applicants filed 7,159 invention patent applications. Japan accounted for the largest share by country with 2,603 applications. The top three corporate applicants were: Applied Materials (US, 242 applications), Coupang (KR, 203 applications) and Samsung Electronics (KR, 178 applications). Applied Materials retained the top position for the second consecutive year. Notably, Shin-Etsu Chemical (JP) reached a single-quarter record, ranking sixth. Several companies demonstrated strong double-digit growth: Kioxia (JP, 102%), Applied Materials (US, 16%), Coupang (KR, 88%), Tokyo Electron (JP, 16%), Shin-Etsu Chemical (JP, 25%) and Lam Research (US, 13%). This trend reflects the strong global interest in Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem and the continued investment by foreign semiconductor and e-commerce companies.
      
      For design patents, non-resident applicants filed 873 applications, with Beijing Roborock Technology leading at 34 applications.

  III. Trademark Filing Trends

1. Trademark Applications Reached Nearly 10-Year High
   
   The TIPO received 24,525 trademark applications, marking a 3% increase. In terms of classes, 31,230 were recorded—a 6% rise—marking the highest level since Q2 2015. Resident and non-resident applicants accounted for 78% and 22%, respectively.

 

2. Filings by Resident Applicants
   1. Uni-President Enterprises Leads Trademark Applicants
      
      Resident applicants filed 19,090 trademark registrations. The top three applicants were: Uni-President Enterprises (192 applications), TSG Hawks (96 applications) and National Institutes of Applied Research (86 applications). The top three classes of trademark registrations filed by resident applicants were Class 35 (Advertising; business management, retail services, 3,803 applications), Class 43 (Restaurants and lodgings etc., 1,845 applications), and Class 30 (Coffee, tea pastries etc., 1,586 applications). Applications in Class 35 and Class 43 grew by 8% and 3% respectively, reflecting a recovery in the hospitality and retail sectors and possibly changes in business models driving increased trademark activity.

 

3. Filings by Non-resident Applicants
   1. CYYS (HK) Brand Management Limited Leads Among Non-resident Trademark Applications
      
      Non-resident applicants filed 5,435 trademark applications, with Mainland China contributing the largest number by country (1,505 applications). The top three non-resident applicants were: CYYS (HK) Brand Management Limited (CN, 51 applications), Ye, Haiyang (CN, 46 applications) and Beijing Enlight Pictures Co., Ltd. (CN, 36 applications). All three showed positive growth.
      
      The top three classes filed by non-resident applicant were: Class 9 (Computer and technology products etc., 977 applications), Class 35 (Advertising; business management, retail services, 674 applications), and Class 3 (Cosmetics and detergents etc., 574 applications). Class 35 saw a 4% increase, indicating a active consumer market and strong branding efforts by foreign companies.

 

4. Industry Analysis
   
   Among all trademark applications received by the TIPO, the top three industries were: “Agricultural Products” (6,364 applications), followed by “Health and Medical care” (5,181 applications) and “Business and Finance” (4,961 applications).
   
   For resident applicants, “Agricultural Products” led with 5,248 applications, mainly from the restaurant and accommodation sectors. Among non-resident applicants, “Research and Technology” was the leading industry with 1,606 applications.
   
   Trademark applications showed positive growth in the top three industries for resident applicants (agriculture, finance, and healthcare), and in the clothing and accessories sector for non-residents applicants, indicating robust commercial activity and strong interest in trademarks related to health, food, fashion, and financial services.

Note: The above statistics are based on the “first applicant” listed in each application when determining applicant and nationality. All percentage increases or decreases are compared to the same period in the previous year.
 
(Summarized and translated from news published on the TIPO website. The full statistical data can be found under the “Quarterly Statistics” section of the “Patent Topics” page: https://www.tipo.gov.tw/tw/tipo1/181.html.)