According to the latest report summarizing patent trends in the United States, Samsung Electronics became the company with the largest number of patents granted in the U.S. in 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the company has maintained the top position, once again highlighting the strength of its R&D capabilities and intellectual property strategy.
Overall Patent Decline, Yet Samsung’s Continued Presence
Research by a U.S. patent information firm shows that approximately 320,000 patents were registered in the United States in 2025. This represents a decline from the previous year and is said to be the lowest level since 2019. The decrease can be interpreted as a result of the global economic slowdown and a growing selectivity in R&D investment.
Against this backdrop, Samsung Electronics secured as many as 7,054 patents. This figure accounts for more than 2% of the total and represents an increase of about 11% year on year. The fact that Samsung expanded its patent count while overall numbers declined suggests not merely scale, but a sustained commitment to research and development.
Strategic Implications of Advances in Displays and Batteries
What deserves particular attention is not only Samsung Electronics itself, but also the movements of its affiliated companies. Samsung Display ranked fifth in terms of patent acquisitions, while companies within the LG Group also moved up in the rankings. Notably, firms responsible for battery technologies significantly increased their patent counts, which can be seen as a strategic move aimed at next-generation industries.
Patents are not merely “proof of technology”; they function as bargaining power and barriers to entry in future business competition. Considering the growing importance of patents in areas such as electric vehicles and energy storage, these developments are highly strategic.
The Growing Presence of Automakers and Shifts in Industrial Structure
Another noteworthy point is the strong presence of automakers in the patent rankings. As automobiles evolve from “machines that run” into “moving electronic devices,” patents related to software, electrification, and battery technologies are becoming key sources of competitiveness.
An increase in patent filings does not simply indicate active technological development; it can also be seen as evidence that the industrial structure itself is undergoing transformation.
The Significance of Asia Accounting for 60%
It is striking that Asian companies account for roughly 60% of the total, with Korean firms in particular showing a significant year-on-year increase in patent registrations. Even as overall U.S. patent filings decline, Asian companies have not eased their aggressive stance.
This trend can be interpreted as a move driven more by medium- to long-term technological leadership than by short-term economic conditions. Patents represent a “quiet competition” to secure future markets, and the latest figures merely reveal one aspect of that contest.
Conclusion — What Lies Beyond Patent Counts
The number of patents is an easy-to-understand indicator, but what truly matters is their substance and how they are utilized. That said, the fact that a company has increased its patent acquisitions and maintained the top position amid an overall contraction indicates that its R&D foundation remains solid.
This news sheds light on the current state of international competition when viewed through the lens of patents. Going forward, it will be worth watching how these patents materialize into concrete products and services.