Chinese corporations have gained ground in holding global patents in cybersecurity technology amid growing US-China tensions, according to a report from Nikkei Asia.
Specifically, corporations such as Huawei and Tencent accounted for six of the top 10 global patent holders in the cybersecurity field as of August, based on data compiled by Nikkei in cooperation with U.S. information service provider LexisNexis. The data takes into account patents registered in 95 countries and regions.
The report said US computer maker IBM topped the list with 6,363 patents, followed by Huawei and Tencent with 5,735 and 4,803 patents, respectively. Alibaba's financial conglomerate Ant Group also rounded out the top 10 with 3,922 patents, as well as Alibaba Group Holding with 3,122 patents. China Investment Corp., a sovereign wealth fund, had 3,042 patents.
Chinese corporations increase number of cybersecurity patents
Escalating tensions between the US and China have pushed the country and its companies to seek self-reliance in science and technology. The US recently tightened restrictions on the export of AI (artificial intelligence) chips to China over concerns that Beijing could use them to enhance its military capabilities.
LexisNexis found that the number of patents filed by Chinese companies has increased significantly, especially since 2018. Huawei is the first corporation to be targeted by sanctions since the US tightened export controls on high-tech companies five years ago.
In 2018, the US banned government agencies from receiving Huawei equipment or services. In 2019, Huawei was placed on a trade blacklist, which restricts US companies from doing business with the Chinese company. The company also has limited access to foreign-made semiconductors made with US technology.
LexisNexis said that against this backdrop, the importance of protecting intellectual property rights has been reaffirmed in the battle for control over advanced technology and data, which has fueled a surge in filings by Chinese companies.
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