Top 10 PCT Patent Applicants Globally in 2023

Overview

According to the preliminary statistics of PCT patent applications in 2023 released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), global innovation activity continued to be active, with Chinese enterprises performing prominently. Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. ranked first globally with 6,494 applications, maintaining its leading position for many years. Samsung Electronics ranked second with 3,949 applications, and Qualcomm ranked third with 3,417 applications.

Top 10 Applicants

The following is the list of the top 10 PCT patent applicants in 2023 (estimated values):

• Huawei (China): 6,494
• Samsung Electronics (South Korea): 3,949
• Qualcomm (USA): 3,417
• LG (South Korea): 2,646
• BOE (China): 1,588
• Mitsubishi (Japan): 1,472
• Sony (Japan): 1,238
• Panasonic (Japan): 1,075
• OPPO (China): 1,063
• Siemens (Germany): 1,014

Chinese Enterprise Performance

Among the top ten, Chinese companies occupy three spots: Huawei, BOE, and OPPO. BOE, as a display panel leader, has accelerated its patent portfolio in semiconductor technology in recent years; OPPO continues to invest in communication and imaging technology R&D. This indicates that Chinese enterprises are enhancing their intellectual property awareness and innovation capabilities in global technology competition.

Industry Trends

Overall, PCT applications are concentrated in the communications, electronics, and information technology fields. Asian enterprises continue to dominate the list, while Japanese companies, though not in the top five, have multiple entries. US-based Qualcomm remains strong. This ranking reflects the distribution pattern of global R&D investment, with Chinese enterprises transitioning from "manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing."

Note: The data in this article is based on WIPO preliminary statistics and industry estimates, which may have minor differences from the final official data.