China Was First in Blockchain Technology Patent Filings Last Year – Report

Blockchain, News | March 26, 2018 By:

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) received the most blockchain patent filings in 2017 from China.

Data analyzed by Thomson Reuters from WIPO shows more than half of the 406 patent applications came from China. The nation filed 225 Blockchain patents, with the US (91), and Australia (13) in place and show, respectively.

Overall patent applications for blockchain tripled last year. Chinese dominance in patent applications is nothing new – China made up six of the top nine filings for blockchain patents from 2012 to 2017, led by Beijing Technology Development.

Ironically, China is currently being scrutinized for its lack of action and intellectual property respect by the US and others. It has also eliminated cryptocurrency trading and initial coin offerings, both key elements of growing a blockchain industry.