Samsung Dominates U.S. Patent Landscape for Third Consecutive Year with TSMC Rising to Second Place

Samsung's Continued Dominance in U.S. Patents

In an impressive showcase of innovation, Samsung has managed to retain its dominance in the U.S. patent landscape for the third consecutive year. According to a report from IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, 324,043 patents were granted in the U.S. in 2024, marking a significant increase of 3.8% compared to the previous year. This upward trend follows a four-year decline in patent grants, signaling a robust recovery and a renewed emphasis on research and development within various industries.

TSMC’s Remarkable Climb

Notably, the semiconductor giant TSMC has ascended to second place in patent grants, demonstrating its growing influence in the tech sector. With a total of 3,989 patents awarded in 2024, TSMC has shown commendable growth of 8% from 2023. It has successfully outpaced Qualcomm, which has now dropped to third place with a reduction in grants by 11%. Apple and Huawei have secured their positions in the top five, trailing TSMC closely. This reshuffling of rankings underscores the dynamic nature of the tech industry, where innovation is constantly redefining competitive landscapes.

Patents Reflecting Economic Resilience

The report highlights an overall healthier U.S. innovation economy, evidenced by a record high of U.S. patent applications—430,625 filed in 2024, up 3% from last year. This surge signifies a positive outlook for future advancements and investments in technology. Ronald Kratz, CEO of IFI CLAIMS, expressed optimism about the resuming growth in patent grants, attributing it to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) hiring additional examiners to tackle the backlog of pending applications that had accumulated during the pandemic.

Key Players in the Patent Race

Samsung's performance remained noteworthy as it increased its patent count from 6,165 in 2023 to 6,377 in 2024—a year-over-year rise of 3%. Impressively, Samsung accounted for nearly 2% of all patents granted in the U.S. Meanwhile, IBM, which dominated the patent rankings for nearly three decades, continues to drop in the rankings and remains in eighth place. The shift in strategies at IBM—adopting a more selective patenting approach—has led to this decline, allowing companies like Samsung and TSMC to surge ahead.

International Patent Landscape

Despite American companies leading with 143,382 patents granted, the majority of U.S. patents (56%) went to international firms. Japan and China followed closely behind, with 43,364 and 28,258 patents respectively. This trend highlights the increasingly global nature of patent filings and the importance of international collaboration in technological advancements. Not all countries reflected such growth; while the overall patent grants rose for many nations, the U.S. and Taiwan saw slightly reduced numbers, indicating regional variances in innovation pressures.

Fastest Growing Technologies

In addition to the overall patent statistics, IFI’s analysis on the fastest growing technologies reveals an interesting focus on sustainability and waste reduction. Innovations related to non-ferrous metal recovery and solid waste destruction are gaining traction, emphasizing a growing global consciousness around environmental impacts. The fastest growing technology within the top 10 is now linked to servicing electrolytic cells, reflecting advancements in efficient energy use.

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