Who files the most patents

Patents explained Patents grant exclusionary rights to an invention - a product or process that is a solution to a specific technological problem. They can be seen as an indicator of innovation, to track rates of technological change or progress, or monitor the health of research and development. Where specific patents are linked to businesses, they can occasionally be used as a barometer for judging the current or future direction of a business's interests.

Globally, the number of patent grants has continued to grow year-on-year, significantly higher than the thousand patents recorded back in At the cutting edge of technological progress and achievement in the U. Of the national patent office's globally, the U. This has been supported by policy implementation and a framework developed by the U. Loading statistic Show source.

Download for free You need to log in to download this statistic Register for free Already a member? Log in. Show detailed source information? Register for free Already a member? More information. Other statistics on the topic. Probably one of the most popular individuals on this list is Thomas Edison. Most famously known for his invention of the light bulb, Edison has patented a variety of unique inventions, including the movie camera and phonograph.

Between and , he had patent protection on 1, inventions, which was the record during that time period. As of , Koyama was the holder of patents. He works in the technology field creating liquid crystal displays, semi-conductor devices, and other technical circuits.

Technological advances are a key driving force of economic growth, so research and innovation can be vital tools in tackling the developmental challenges facing countries around the world. One way of measuring the level of innovation is the number of applications for patents made. The following chart, taken from World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO data, shows the countries whose residents filed the most patent applications in the latest year for which data is available. China tops the list, with over , applications in , well over twice the number in the USA, which is in second place.

Iran also makes an appearance in the top 10, with 11, applications. Donald Weder. Paul Lapstun. The Bottom Line. Shunpei Yamazaki is a Japanese inventor. Most of his 5, patents are related to computing. American Donald Weder is the owner of Highland Supply Company, a major player in the floral industry. He holds 1, patents, mostly related to floral and decorative packaging. Paul Lapstun is a business partner of Kia Silverbook.

He owns or co-owns 1, patents. Leonard Forbes is a retired Oregon State University professor of electrical engineering and operates a consulting firm specializing in solar cell technology. He holds 1, patents. Article Sources.

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

Compare Accounts. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace. Related Articles. Partner Links. But his claim is riddled with holes.