USA leads cyber-patenting despite the SQ

The countries leading the way in cybersecurity patent applications

Competition between countries can be fierce when it comes to innovation, but the data shows there are clear winners when it comes to the offices receiving the most cybersecurity patent filings.

The U.S. tops the list, with 1,087 patents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) since 2000. With an estimated 1.3 million cybersecurity professionals in the U.S., the country has the biggest cybersecurity workforce in the world. This could explain why it leads the way in innovation within this space.

International patent applications account for the next highest number, with 326 filed since 2000. International patents are filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and provide worldwide patent protection. This means that PCT patent holders can defend and safeguard their intellectual property in all of the 157 contracting states.

China ranks next, with 304 cybersecurity patent filings received by the Chinese Patent Office. This is interesting because China leads the world with the most patent applications in general as of 2022. However, the country has been criticized in the past for its high level of abnormal and fraudulent patents. Studies dating back to 2014 discovered that the quality of China’s patent applications was below the world average. Therefore, in recent years, the Chinese government has made it a priority to improve the quality of its patents by introducing strict new requirements to regulate abnormal filings.

The European Patent Office (EPO) comes in fourth place, with 250 patent filings received. Applicants seeking patent protection in Europe can either apply through the European Patent Office, which provides a single examination procedure for all 39 EPO member states, or via the national route. This involves filing applications “at the IP offices in the countries for which you are seeking protection.”

The European patent application system via the EPO remains the default for many who seek patent protection in Europe. The EU is working on various fronts to promote cyber resilience, fight cybercrime, and foster cyber diplomacy and defense. It recently committed €49 million to boost innovation in cybersecurity and privacy systems.