In 2020, the United States had the most patents in force worldwide with about 3.3 million patents in force. China had the second most patents in force, amounting to roughly 3.1 million, followed by Japan with around two million.
Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2020
Patent rights last for a limited period—generally 20 years from the date of filing. Patents in force provide information on the volume of patents currently valid, as well as the historical patent life cycle.
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WIPO. (November 8, 2021). Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 28, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. "Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2020." Chart. November 8, 2021. Statista. Accessed June 28, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. (2021). Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2020. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 28, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO. "Ranking of The 20 National Patent Offices with The Most Patents in Force in 2020." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/
WIPO, Ranking of the 20 national patent offices with the most patents in force in 2020 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/257172/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-most-patents-in-force/ (last visited June 28, 2022)
