In 2025, Apple fell to seventh place in U.S. patent grants, receiving 2,722, an 11% drop from the previous year. Overall, U.S. patent activity declined for the sixth consecutive year, with a notable shift towards artificial intelligence and next-generation chip technologies. IBM also slipped out of the top 10 for the first time in 30 years, focusing on fewer key areas instead.

Perplexity Patents is a new AI tool designed to simplify patent research. Users can ask questions in natural language and receive relevant patent information without needing to know complex search terms. The platform goes beyond traditional databases by also exploring related academic and public sources.

In 2024, Amazon emerged as the leader in patent power, surpassing even major industry categories despite not having the most patents filed. The analysis highlights the impact of subsidiaries on patent power, with companies like Alphabet and RTX showing hidden strengths. Additionally, the article discusses the global landscape of U.S. patents, revealing that significant contributions come from countries like Japan and South Korea.