24/08/2026
#11,000
Samsung Electronics registered more than 11,000 patents in South Korea and the United States alone during the first half of this year, stepping up its efforts to strengthen its technological leadership. It was the first time the company had registered more than 10,000 patents in the two countries for two consecutive half-year periods.
According to Samsung Electronics' semiannual and business reports released on Aug. 23, the company registered a total of 11,054 patents in the first half, including 5,572 in South Korea and 5,482 in the United States. The figure was the second-highest on record, following the 11,387 patents registered in the second half of last year. The number of patents registered by Samsung has steadily increased from 7,474 in the first half of 2020, surpassing the 10,000 mark for the first time in the second half of last year.
The latest registrations brought Samsung Electronics' cumulative number of patents worldwide to 296,468. The United States accounted for the largest share with 109,674 patents, followed by South Korea with 69,831, Europe with 55,319, China with 32,678 and Japan with 8,025. Given that Samsung has been registering more than 2,000 patents a month on average, its global patent portfolio is estimated to have already surpassed 300,000.
The surge in patent registrations has been driven by the company's aggressive investment in research and development. Samsung Electronics spent 27.36 trillion won, or approximately $19.83 billion, on R&D in the first half, up 51.5% from 18.06 trillion won a year earlier. The figure marked a record high for a first half.
Samsung's growing commitment to technology is also evident in its annual R&D spending. Investment rose steadily from 21.11 trillion won in 2020 to 24.92 trillion won in 2022 and 35 trillion won in 2024, reaching 37.7 trillion won last year. The company has continued to invest heavily in developing future growth engines despite an uncertain business environment.
The strategy is in line with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong's emphasis on technology-driven management. When he became executive chairman in 2022, Lee stressed the need to invest in technologies that do not yet exist, saying the company's survival depends on future technologies.
Lee has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining a strong focus on talent development and investment in future technologies. Industry observers say Samsung Electronics' extensive patent portfolio could serve as a significant barrier to entry and defensive asset as competition for technological leadership intensifies globally. Samsung Electronics' increase in patent registrations is expected to continue alongside its rising research and development investment.
https://www.businesskorea.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=275359
BUSINESS KOREA - 2026.08.24
Samsung Electronics registered more than 11,000 patents in South Korea and the United States alone during the first half of this year, stepping up its efforts