Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., the telecommunications giant from China, has achieved a significant milestone in the U.S. intellectual property landscape.
The telecommunications behemoth is ranking as the #5 patentee in 2024 with 3,285 U.S. patents granted, a 44% increase from 2023.
This achievement, detailed in Harrity LLP’s annual report on top patentees, underscores the growing influence of Chinese companies in the U.S. patent ecosystem.
Samsung Electronics and LG Corporation dominated the rankings, taking the #1 and #2 positions with 9,304 and 5,156 U.S. patents, respectively. However, Huawei’s leap to the top five highlights its continued focus on research and development despite geopolitical and trade tensions affecting its global operations.
Other Chinese firms also made notable strides in the rankings. BOE Technology Group secured the #14 spot with 1,993 patents (up 18%), TCL Corporation ranked #30 with 1,132 patents (up 119%), and Tencent Holdings followed closely at #34 with 1,109 patents (up 58%). Notably, Ruili Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd. experienced a staggering 196% year-over-year growth, securing the #52 position.
U.S. Patent Activity in 2024
The top U.S. patentees reflect a mix of technological innovation and competition, with Samsung leading the pack for the second consecutive year. Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company), and IBM also featured in the top 10, demonstrating strong domestic contributions to intellectual property.
Despite Huawei’s significant gains, the overall rankings reveal mixed results for major players. Qualcomm, at #4, experienced a 10% decline in patents granted, while IBM saw a sharp 30% drop.
Implications for Legal and Corporate Strategy
Huawei’s surge in U.S. patents comes at a critical time for the tech industry, as patent portfolios play a pivotal role in safeguarding innovation, licensing strategies, and global competitiveness. This upward trend for Chinese companies, particularly in advanced technologies like semiconductors and telecommunications, highlights their increasing focus on securing intellectual property in key global markets.
The growth also raises questions about how international patent filings and approvals will be affected by evolving geopolitical dynamics, trade restrictions, and U.S.-China relations.
