The Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) has released its 2025 patent and trademark statics, revealing a record-breaking trademark filings number and continued improvements in examination efficiency, despite a slight decline in overall patent applications. The report highlights evolving filing strategies among domestic and foreign applicants and provides valuable insight into Taiwan’s increasingly competitive IP landscape.

 

  Patent Applications: Slight Decline Amid Continued Growth in Invention Patents

 

  In 2025, the TIPO received 71,965 patent applications, representing a 1% decrease from 2024. Among the three patent categories, invention patent applications increased by 1% to 51,230, whereas utility model applications declined by 4% to 14,000 and design patent applications fell by 8% to 6,735 (Figure 1).

 

Figure 1 : Patent Applications Filed in Taiwan

 

  Despite the overall decrease in patent filings, the continued growth in invention patent applications suggests that applicants remain focused on securing protection for higher-value technological innovations.

 

  The first Office action pendency for patents is 8.0 months, shortened by 0.4 months than the previous year, suggesting more time for the applicant in commercial planning (Figure 2).

 

Figure 2 : Average Examination Period for Invention Patent Applications

 

  Patents by Domestic Applicants

 

  Domestic applicants filed 19,511 invention patent applications in 2025, a marginal decrease of 0.4% compared with the previous year. Utility model and design patent applications also declined by 6% and 4%, respectively (Figure 3).

 

Figure 3 : Domestic and Foreign Patent Applications

 

  A closer examination of applicant categories reveals notable differences in filing behavior. While invention patent applications by enterprises and research institutions declined by 1% and 2%, respectively, universities increased their invention patent filings by 8%.

 

  The universities were the only major applicant group to record growth in invention patent filings, highlighting their increasingly important role in Taiwan’s research and innovation ecosystem.

 

  For utility model and design patents, filings by both enterprises and academic/research institutions declined, indicating a more cautious approach toward these forms of protection.

 

  Patents by International Applicants

 

  Foreign invention patent applications continued their upward trajectory, reaching 31,719 applications in 2025, an increase of 2% from 2024. Notably, foreign invention patent filings have grown continuously since 2021, underscoring sustained international confidence in Taiwan’s technology-driven market.

 

  Japan remained steadily the leading source of invention patent applications with 12,524 filings, followed by the United States (6,954), Mainland China (3,703), South Korea (3,346), and Germany (1,051) (Figure 4).

 

Figure 4 : Top Five Origins for Invention Patent Applications in Taiwan in 2025

 

  In contrast, foreign design patent applications declined by 12% to 3,543 filings. Japan remained the largest filer source with 852 applications, followed by the United States (621), Mainland China (605), Switzerland (456), and South Korea (169).

 

  Among the leading filing jurisdictions, Switzerland recorded a 23% increase in design patent applications, while Japan, the United States, Mainland China, and South Korea all experienced declines ranging from 3% to 20% (Figure 5).

 

Figure 5 : Top Five Origins for Design Patent Applications in Taiwan in 2025

 

  Trademark Applications: Record High Filing Activity

 

  Trademark filings reached a historic milestone in 2025, with 97,411 applications filed, representing an 8% increase from the previous year and the highest annual total on record. Measured by classes, filings reached 124,242 classes, reflecting a 10% year-over-year increase (Figure 6).

 

Figure 6 : Trademark Applications and Number of Classes

 

  The growth was driven primarily by domestic applicants, whose filings increased by 9% to a record 75,573 applications. Foreign applicants also expanded their activity, with filings increasing by 4% to 21,838 (Figure 7).

 

Figure 7 : Trademark Applications by Domestic and Foreign Applicants

 

  The first Office action pendency for trademarks is 5.6 months, shortened by 0.5 months than the previous year, partially due to the benefits by introducing the AI search facility (Figure 8).

 

Figure 8 : Average Examination Period for Trademark Applications

 

  International Applicant’s Trademark Filing Trends

 

  Among foreign applicants, Mainland China, Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Hong Kong remained major sources of trademark applications.

 

  South Korea recorded the strongest growth among the leading jurisdictions, increasing by 25% compared with the previous year. The United States, Mainland China, and Japan also registered growth of 7%, 3%, and 1%, respectively, while Hong Kong declined by 13% (Figure 9).

 

Figure 9 : Top Five Origins for Trademark Applications in Taiwan in 2025

 

  Trademark Classification Trends

 

  Consistent with previous years, Class 35 (Advertising, Business Management, and Retail/Wholesale Services) remained the most frequently designated class among domestic applicants, accounting for 14,913 applications.

 

  However, significant changes emerged in filing growth across categories. Among domestic applicants, Class 42 (Scientific and Technological Services) recorded the highest growth rate at 31.6%, followed by Class 41 (Education and Entertainment) at 24.0% and Class 9 (Computers and Technology Products) at 17.6%, indicating increasing investment in innovation-driven and creative industries by Taiwanese businesses.

 

  For foreign applicants, Class 9 (Computers and Technology Products) remained the most popular category with 4,063 applications, echoing foreigner’s interest in Taiwan’s high-tech industry. Among the top ten classes, Class 28 (Toys and Games) recorded the strongest growth at 16.6%, while most other major classes also experienced moderate increases.

 

  Conclusion

 

  Overall, Taiwan’s 2025 intellectual property statistics reveal a dynamic and evolving market. While overall patent applications declined slightly, invention patent filings remained resilient, particularly among foreign applicants. Trademark filings reached unprecedented levels, driven by strong domestic demand and growing activity in technology, scientific services, and creative industries.

 

  The continued growth of foreign invention patent filings, record-breaking trademark activity, and improved examination efficiency reinforce Taiwan’s position as a trustworthy jurisdiction for IP protection.