China overtakes US as leader in international patent filings

Four-decade American streak ends while Huawei retains corporate crown

20200407N Huawei foldable phone

China's Huawei Technologies boosted R&D investment by 30% last year. © Reuters

RINTARO HOSOKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

GENEVA -- China surpassed the U.S. last year to lead the world in international patent applications for the first time, while telecommunications giant Huawei Technologies topped the list of companies for a third straight year, the World Intellectual Property Organization said Tuesday.

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