Technology Class Leaders

Top patent holder in each of the 100 largest CPC technology subclasses, drawn from US patents granted 2015–2025 (USPTO via PatentsView). See our methodology.

The Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system, jointly maintained by the USPTO and European Patent Office, organizes US patents into 670 technology subclasses tracked by PlainPatent. Each subclass represents a coherent technology domain, semiconductor lithography, antibody therapeutics, internal-combustion engine valves, and so on, and the company that holds the most grants in a given subclass is, by volume, the dominant patent producer in that domain. The 100 subclasses ranked below are the 100 most active by overall grant count between 2015 and 2025.

Volume leadership does not always equal market leadership. A company can dominate a CPC subclass without leading the corresponding product category, for example, a defense contractor may hold many patents in a software subclass without selling commercial software. Treat this leaderboard as a structural map of recorded grants by assignee and class, not evidence of current filing, product strategy, or legal defensibility.

#	Technology class	Total patents	Top company	Company patents
1	G06FElectric Digital Data Processing	580,551	International Business Machines Corporation	42,717
2	H04LTransmission OF Digital Information, e.g. Telegraphic Communication	373,517	International Business Machines Corporation	15,969
3	H04WWireless Communication Networks	236,882	Qualcomm Incorporated	17,987
4	H04NPictorial Communication, e.g. Television	191,323	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha	12,328
5	H01LSemiconductor Devices NOT Covered BY Class H10	165,178	Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.	19,657
6	A61BDIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; Identification	162,009	Covidien LP	5,709
7	A61KPreparations FOR Medical, Dental OR Toiletry Purposes	151,067	The Regents of the University of California	1,779
8	G06QInformation AND Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted FOR Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial OR Supervisory PURPOSES; Systems OR Methods Specially Adapted FOR Administrative, Commercial, Financial, Managerial OR Supervisory Purposes, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR	144,635	International Business Machines Corporation	6,621
9	G06TImage Data Processing OR Generation, IN General	131,672	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	4,120
10	A61PSpecific Therapeutic Activity OF Chemical Compounds OR Medicinal Preparations	125,535	The Regents of the University of California	1,387
11	Y02EReduction OF Greenhouse GAS [GHG] Emissions, Related TO Energy Generation, Transmission OR Distribution	125,003	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	6,395
12	G01NInvestigating OR Analysing Materials BY Determining Their Chemical OR Physical Properties	115,972	The Regents of the University of California	1,153
13	G02BOptical Elements, Systems OR Apparatus	115,576	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	4,608
14	H04BTransmission	101,407	Qualcomm Incorporated	6,670
15	Y10TTechnical Subjects Covered BY Former US Classification	97,850	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,190
16	H10DInorganic Electric Semiconductor Devices	96,746	Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.	13,882
17	G06VImage OR Video Recognition OR Understanding	95,291	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	3,022
18	G06NComputing Arrangements Based ON Specific Computational Models	88,089	International Business Machines Corporation	7,479
19	Y02TClimate Change Mitigation Technologies Related TO Transportation	81,138	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	5,468
20	C12NMicroorganisms OR ENZYMES; Compositions THEREOF; Propagating, Preserving, OR Maintaining MICROORGANISMS; Mutation OR Genetic ENGINEERING; Culture Media	68,530	Monsanto Technology LLC	1,335
21	Y02PClimate Change Mitigation Technologies IN THE Production OR Processing OF Goods	65,929	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	2,477
22	H01MProcesses OR Means, e.g. Batteries, FOR THE Direct Conversion OF Chemical Energy Into Electrical Energy	63,620	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	3,657
23	G09GArrangements OR Circuits FOR Control OF Indicating Devices Using Static Means TO Present Variable Information	62,527	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	9,877
24	H05KPrinted CIRCUITS; Casings OR Constructional Details OF Electric APPARATUS; Manufacture OF Assemblages OF Electrical Components	62,449	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	3,596
25	C07KPeptides	58,046	The Regents of the University of California	894
26	A61MDevices FOR Introducing Media Into, OR Onto, THE Body ; Devices FOR Transducing Body Media OR FOR Taking Media From THE Body ; Devices FOR Producing OR Ending Sleep OR Stupor	57,639	Becton, Dickinson and Company	1,249
27	C07DHeterocyclic Compounds	54,914	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	847
28	G11CStatic Stores	53,783	Micron Technology, Inc.	7,566
29	G01RMeasuring Electric VARIABLES; Measuring Magnetic Variables	53,716	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,236
30	B29CShaping OR Joining OF PLASTICS; Shaping OF Material IN A Plastic State, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR; After-treatment OF THE Shaped Products, e.g. Repairing	53,431	The Boeing Company	1,808
31	G02FOptical Devices OR Arrangements FOR THE Control OF Light BY Modification OF THE Optical Properties OF THE Media OF THE Elements Involved THEREIN; Non-linear OPTICS; Frequency-changing OF LIGHT; Optical Logic ELEMENTS; Optical ANALOGUE/DIGITAL Converters	52,876	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	5,656
32	G01SRadio DIRECTION-FINDING; Radio NAVIGATION; Determining Distance OR Velocity BY USE OF Radio WAVES; Locating OR Presence-detecting BY USE OF THE Reflection OR Reradiation OF Radio WAVES; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves	52,756	Qualcomm Incorporated	1,673
33	A61FFilters Implantable Into Blood VESSELS; PROSTHESES; Devices Providing Patency TO, OR Preventing Collapsing OF, Tubular Structures OF THE Body, e.g. STENTS; Orthopaedic, Nursing OR Contraceptive DEVICES; FOMENTATION; Treatment OR Protection OF Eyes OR EARS; Bandages, Dressings OR Absorbent PADS; Firs	50,959	The Procter & Gamble Company	1,426
34	H10KOrganic Electric Solid-state Devices	50,923	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	12,550
35	H02JCircuit Arrangements OR Systems FOR Supplying OR Distributing Electric POWER; Systems FOR Storing Electric Energy	49,883	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,729
36	H04MTelephonic Communication	49,631	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	4,133
37	G05BControl OR Regulating Systems IN GENERAL; Functional Elements OF Such SYSTEMS; Monitoring OR Testing Arrangements FOR Such Systems OR Elements	46,942	Fanuc Corporation	1,835
38	Y02DClimate Change Mitigation Technologies IN Information AND Communication Technologies [ICT], I.E. Information AND Communication Technologies Aiming AT THE Reduction OF Their OWN Energy USE	45,676	Intel Corporation	3,144
39	B01DSeparation	43,096	Saudi Arabian OIL Company	598
40	B60RVehicles, Vehicle Fittings, OR Vehicle Parts, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR	42,931	Ford Global Technologies, LLC	3,270
41	G16HHealthcare Informatics, i.e. Information AND Communication Technology [ICT] Specially Adapted FOR THE Handling OR Processing OF Medical OR Healthcare Data	42,899	Koniniklijke Philips N.V.	1,161
42	E21BEarth OR Rock DRILLING; Obtaining OIL, GAS, Water, Soluble OR Meltable Materials OR A Slurry OF Minerals From Wells	39,943	Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.	6,516
43	B60WConjoint Control OF Vehicle Sub-units OF Different Type OR Different FUNCTION; Control Systems Specially Adapted FOR Hybrid VEHICLES; Road Vehicle Drive Control Systems FOR Purposes NOT Related TO THE Control OF A Particular Sub-unit	39,530	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	4,033
44	B32BLayered Products, i.e. Products Built-up OF Strata OF Flat OR Non-flat, e.g. Cellular OR Honeycomb, Form	39,314	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	923
45	G05DSystems FOR Controlling OR Regulating Non-electric Variables	37,264	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	905
46	C08LCompositions OF Macromolecular Compounds	36,183	LG Chem, Ltd.	1,120
47	B01JChemical OR Physical Processes, e.g. Catalysis OR Colloid CHEMISTRY; Their Relevant Apparatus	35,809	Basf SE	754
48	H01RElectrically-conductive CONNECTIONS; Structural Associations OF A Plurality OF Mutually-insulated Electrical Connecting ELEMENTS; Coupling DEVICES; Current Collectors	35,523	Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.	1,543
49	G10LSpeech Analysis Techniques OR Speech SYNTHESIS; Speech RECOGNITION; Speech OR Voice Processing TECHNIQUES; Speech OR Audio Coding OR Decoding	35,471	Google LLC	2,230
50	Y02BClimate Change Mitigation Technologies Related TO Buildings, e.g. Housing, House Appliances OR Related End-user Applications	34,811	LG Electronics Inc.	654
51	B60KArrangement OR Mounting OF Propulsion Units OR OF Transmissions IN VEHICLES; Arrangement OR Mounting OF Plural Diverse Prime-movers IN VEHICLES; Auxiliary Drives FOR VEHICLES; Instrumentation OR Dashboards FOR VEHICLES; Arrangements IN Connection With Cooling, AIR Intake, GAS Exhaust OR Fuel Supply	34,645	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	2,885
52	H02MApparatus FOR Conversion Between AC AND AC, Between AC AND DC, OR Between DC AND DC, AND FOR USE With Mains OR Similar Power Supply SYSTEMS; Conversion OF DC OR AC Input Power Into Surge Output POWER; Control OR Regulation Thereof	33,952	Mitsubishi Electric Corporation	1,101
53	H04RLoudspeakers, Microphones, Gramophone Pick-ups OR Like Acoustic Electromechanical TRANSDUCERS; Deaf-aid SETS; Public Address Systems	33,502	Apple Inc.	1,244
54	H05BElectric HEATING; Electric Light Sources NOT Otherwise Provided FOR; Circuit Arrangements FOR Electric Light Sources, IN General	33,418	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	835
55	C07CAcyclic OR Carbocyclic Compounds	32,521	Basf SE	654
56	Y02ATechnologies FOR Adaptation TO Climate Change	32,476	Monsanto Technology LLC	369
57	G01CMeasuring Distances, Levels OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; Gyroscopic INSTRUMENTS; Photogrammetry OR Videogrammetry	32,360	Here Global B.V.	826
58	C12QMeasuring OR Testing Processes Involving Enzymes, Nucleic Acids OR Microorganisms ; Compositions OR Test Papers THEREFOR; Processes OF Preparing Such COMPOSITIONS; Condition-responsive Control IN Microbiological OR Enzymological Processes	32,189	The Regents of the University of California	581
59	H10BElectronic Memory Devices	31,904	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	3,987
60	H10FInorganic Semiconductor Devices Sensitive TO Infrared Radiation, Light, Electromagnetic Radiation OF Shorter Wavelength OR Corpuscular Radiation	31,010	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,601
61	A61NELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; Radiation THERAPY; Ultrasound Therapy	30,889	Medtronic, Inc.	2,200
62	H03KPulse Technique	30,872	Texas Instruments Incorporated	1,140
63	F05DIndexing Scheme FOR Aspects Relating TO Non-positive-displacement Machines OR Engines, Gas-turbines OR Jet-propulsion Plants	30,682	General Electric Company	4,320
64	B60LPropulsion OF Electrically-propelled Vehicles ; Supplying Electric Power FOR Auxiliary Equipment OF Electrically-propelled Vehicles ; Electrodynamic Brake Systems FOR Vehicles IN General ; Magnetic Suspension OR Levitation FOR VEHICLES; Monitoring Operating Variables OF Electrically-propelled Vehicl	29,944	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	2,338
65	H01QAntennas, i.e. Radio Aerials	29,793	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,717
66	C23CCoating Metallic MATERIAL; Coating Material With Metallic MATERIAL; Surface Treatment OF Metallic Material BY Diffusion Into THE Surface, BY Chemical Conversion OR SUBSTITUTION; Coating BY Vacuum Evaporation, BY Sputtering, BY ION Implantation OR BY Chemical Vapour Deposition, IN General	29,488	Applied Materials, Inc.	2,196
67	B62DMotor VEHICLES; Trailers	29,451	Ford Global Technologies, LLC	1,751
68	B65DContainers FOR Storage OR Transport OF Articles OR Materials, e.g. Bags, Barrels, Bottles, Boxes, Cans, Cartons, Crates, Drums, Jars, Tanks, Hoppers, Forwarding CONTAINERS; Accessories, Closures, OR Fittings THEREFOR; Packaging ELEMENTS; Packages	29,449	The Procter & Gamble Company	471
69	C08GMacromolecular Compounds Obtained Otherwise Than BY Reactions Only Involving Unsaturated Carbon-to-carbon Bonds	29,133	DOW Global Technologies LLC	661
70	C09KMaterials FOR Miscellaneous Applications, NOT Provided FOR Elsewhere	29,124	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,766
71	C08KUse of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients	28,505	LG Chem, Ltd.	865
72	F16HGearing	27,860	Hyundai Motor Company	1,326
73	C09DCoating Compositions, e.g. Paints, Varnishes OR LACQUERS; Filling PASTES; Chemical Paint OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; Correcting FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; Pastes OR Solids FOR Colouring OR PRINTING; USE OF Materials Therefor	27,394	Seiko Epson Corporation	578
74	G06KGraphical Data Reading ; Presentation OF DATA; Record CARRIERS; Handling Record Carriers	27,107	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha	1,345
75	G08GTraffic Control Systems	27,080	Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha	1,228
76	H02KDynamo-electric Machines	26,848	Mitsubishi Electric Corporation	996
77	G03GELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; Magnetography	26,691	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha	7,776
78	B41JTYPEWRITERS; Selective Printing Mechanisms, i.e. Mechanisms Printing Otherwise Than From A FORME; Correction OF Typographical Errors	26,654	Seiko Epson Corporation	5,146
79	G08BSignalling OR Calling SYSTEMS; Order TELEGRAPHS; Alarm Systems	25,403	Google LLC	654
80	H10HInorganic Light-emitting Semiconductor Devices Having Potential Barriers	25,379	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	2,127
81	A61LMethods OR Apparatus FOR Sterilising Materials OR Objects IN GENERAL; Disinfection, Sterilisation OR Deodorisation OF AIR; Chemical Aspects OF Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads OR Surgical ARTICLES; Materials FOR Bandages, Dressings, Absorbent Pads OR Surgical Articles	25,308	The Procter & Gamble Company	378
82	F01DNon-positive Displacement Machines OR Engines, e.g. Steam Turbines	24,492	General Electric Company	3,837
83	H01JElectric Discharge Tubes OR Discharge Lamps	24,482	Applied Materials, Inc.	2,108
84	F21VFunctional Features OR Details OF Lighting Devices OR Systems THEREOF; Structural Combinations OF Lighting Devices With Other Articles, NOT Otherwise Provided FOR	23,679	Signify Holding B.V.	604
85	H10NElectric Solid-state Devices NOT Otherwise Provided FOR	23,338	International Business Machines Corporation	1,422
86	C08FMacromolecular Compounds Obtained BY Reactions Only Involving Carbon-to-carbon Unsaturated Bonds	23,159	LG Chem, Ltd.	1,243
87	B29LIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclass B29c, Relating TO Particular Articles	23,135	The Boeing Company	960
88	B82YSpecific Uses OR Applications OF NANOSTRUCTURES; Measurement OR Analysis OF NANOSTRUCTURES; Manufacture OR Treatment OF Nanostructures	23,042	Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd.	1,724
89	B29KIndexing Scheme Associated With Subclasses B29b, B29c OR B29d, Relating TO Moulding Materials OR TO Materials FOR ; Moulds, ; Reinforcements, Fillers OR Preformed Parts, e.g. Inserts	22,850	The Boeing Company	618
90	G01BMeasuring Length, Thickness OR Similar Linear DIMENSIONS; Measuring ANGLES; Measuring AREAS; Measuring Irregularities OF Surfaces OR Contours	22,043	Mitutoyo Corporation	434
91	B64DEquipment FOR Fitting IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; Flight SUITS; PARACHUTES; Arrangement OR Mounting OF Power Plants OR Propulsion Transmissions IN Aircraft	21,967	The Boeing Company	2,280
92	G03BApparatus OR Arrangements FOR Taking Photographs OR FOR Projecting OR Viewing THEM; Apparatus OR Arrangements Employing Analogous Techniques Using Waves Other Than Optical WAVES; Accessories Therefor	21,728	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha	1,705
93	H01FMAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; Selection OF Materials FOR Their Magnetic Properties	21,711	Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.	1,164
94	G03FPhotomechanical Production OF Textured OR Patterned Surfaces, e.g. FOR Printing, FOR Processing OF Semiconductor DEVICES; Materials THEREFOR; Originals THEREFOR; Apparatus Specially Adapted THEREFOR;	21,670	Asml Netherlands B.V.	2,290
95	B25JMANIPULATORS; Chambers Provided With Manipulation Devices	21,590	Fanuc Corporation	999
96	G11BInformation Storage Based ON Relative Movement Between Record Carrier AND Transducer	21,500	Seagate Technology LLC	1,922
97	C08JWORKING-UP; General Processes OF COMPOUNDING; After-treatment NOT Covered BY Subclasses C08b, C08c, C08f, C08g or C08h	21,338	LG Chem, Ltd.	749
98	H03MCODING; DECODING; Code Conversion IN General	21,338	Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.	1,180
99	B23KSoldering OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; Cladding OR Plating BY Soldering OR WELDING; Cutting BY Applying Heat Locally, e.g. Flame CUTTING; Working BY Laser Beam	21,060	Illinois Tool Works Inc.	976
100	G07CTime OR Attendance REGISTERS; Registering OR Indicating THE Working OF MACHINES; Generating Random NUMBERS; Voting OR Lottery APPARATUS; Arrangements, Systems OR Apparatus FOR Checking NOT Provided FOR Elsewhere	20,919	Ford Global Technologies, LLC	681

Top 100 of 670 active technology classes. Source: USPTO PatentsView 2015–2025.

All 670 classes →

Compiled by PlainPatent

Every figure on PlainPatent is rendered directly from USPTO source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on USPTO source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.