Summary:

Blockchain technology began to gain significant traction around the mid-2010s, evolving beyond its initial use for cryptocurrency. This technology promises a decentralized and transparent system, making it highly attractive for various applications across industries like finance, supply chain, and healthcare.

The surge in patent numbers, especially in leading tech nations like the US and China, indicates the growing recognition of blockchain’s potential and the desire to innovate and secure intellectual property rights in this domain.

The increasing trend in patents filed also points towards businesses and individuals seeking to establish a foothold in the blockchain sector, looking to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

The presence of diverse countries in this patent landscape suggests that blockchain is a global phenomenon, with innovations emerging from various places of the world.

Highlights:

• The US and China dominate the blockchain patent landscape during this period. Both countries see a substantial increase in the number of patents, with the US starting at 340 in 2015 and reaching a peak of 1,552 by 2018. China begins with 30 patents in 2015 and sees a significant rise to 1,044 by 2020.
• Germany, South Korea, and the UK also demonstrate notable growth in blockchain patent families but remain far behind the US and China in sheer numbers.
• India sees a steady increase over the years, starting at 14 in 2015 and reaching 135 by 2019.

Article By XIE, Taojun

Graphic By GE, Yixuan