Apple’s U.S. patent activity dropped in 2025, even as the company continued to invest heavily in artificial intelligence, silicon, and software. The decline came during a broader slowdown in patent filings across the United States. Together, these shifts pushed Apple down the annual rankings and signaled a cooling period for patent activity.
A Clear Drop for Apple
According to newly released data from IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, Apple received 2,722 U.S. patents in 2025. That number fell from 3,082 in 2024, a year over year decline of about 12 percent. As a result, Apple slipped to sixth place in IFI’s ranking of the top U.S. patent recipients.
This change stands out because Apple continues to expand research in key areas such as AI, chip design, and software. Even so, the figures reflect a wider contraction rather than a company-specific pullback.
IFI CLAIMS reports that total U.S. patent grants in 2025 reached 323,272, down slightly from the year before. Applications fell more sharply to 393,344, marking a drop of nearly nine percent and the lowest level since 2019.
The slowdown appeared in core technology fields that usually drive high patent volumes, including digital data processing and data transmission. It also coincided with a large backlog at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where more than 1.2 million applications remain under review. That backlog continues to slow the pace of approvals.
Apple Compared to Rivals
While Apple’s numbers declined, some competitors either held steady or gained ground. Samsung remained the top patent holder for the fourth year in a row with 7,054 grants. TSMC followed with 4,194, and Qualcomm placed third with 3,749.
Other companies, including Dell and Toyota, climbed in the rankings, driven by patents tied to computing infrastructure, energy storage, and vehicle systems. At the same time, Nvidia failed to place in the top 50 despite its central role in the AI boom.
Report Says About the Shift
IFI CLAIMS framed the broader trend clearly, stating that “for the third year running, the principal story of corporate innovation has been the dash to invest in artificial intelligence.” Still, the firm also noted a drop in traditional chip patents, even as newer semiconductor categories gained attention.
IBM’s fall out of the top 10 added another point of interest. IFI CLAIMS said, “IBM has adopted an intentional patent strategy that turns away from the pursuit of racking up the greatest number of grants and focuses instead on just a few key areas such as cloud computing and AI.”
Apple’s lower patent count does not signal a retreat from innovation. Instead, it reflects a period when fewer patents are being filed and granted across the industry. For now, the data shows a shift in how companies pursue intellectual property, with quality and focus increasingly taking priority over sheer volume.
