Pop Mart Tops Foreign Trademark Applicants, Uni-President Leads Domestic for Seventh Consecutive Year

(Central News Agency, reporter Tseng Yun-ting, Taipei, June 14) The Ministry of Economic Affairs released the 2025 statistics on patent and trademark applications. Trademark registration applications reached 97,411 cases, a 7.8% year-on-year increase, setting a new historical high. Among domestic applicants, Uni-President Enterprises ranked first for the seventh consecutive year with 923 applications, while Singapore-based Pop Mart took the top spot among foreign applicants with 194 filings.

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) under the Ministry analyzed that the growth in trademark applications reflects ongoing corporate investment in brand development and market expansion. The rise of trendy toy IPs, Korean pop culture, and digital economy activities also served as key drivers.

According to IPO statistics, in 2025, the number of trademark applications reached 97,411 (up 7.8% year-on-year), while the number of classes totaled 124,242 (up 10.4%), both setting new records. This growth indicates sustained brand-building and market positioning efforts by domestic and international enterprises.

By applicant nationality, domestic applicants filed 75,573 applications, up 8.9% year-on-year and the highest on record, accounting for over 70% of total applications. Foreign applicants filed 21,838 applications, up 4.2%.

Among domestic applicants, Uni-President Enterprises led with 923 applications for the seventh consecutive year, followed by Fubon Life Insurance. Among foreign applicants, Singapore’s Pop Mart ranked first with 194 applications, followed by South Korea’s Jeiwei Pin and mainland China’s Huang Cheng-fang.

Regarding Pop Mart and Jeiwei Pin ranking in the top two among foreign applicants, the IPO noted this reflects the rapid growth of IP-based content industries and trend-driven brands. The booming trendy toy (chao wan) IP economy and Korean entertainment industry are actively establishing brand presence in Taiwan to prevent trademark squatting and free-riding.

By application category, domestic applicants most frequently filed under 'advertising, business management, and retail/wholesale services' (14,913 cases), followed by 'restaurants and accommodation services' (6,905 cases), and 'education and entertainment' (6,237 cases, up 24% year-on-year), ranking third.

The IPO analyzed that the increase in 'advertising and business services' reflects vibrant commercial and e-commerce activities. The significant growth in 'education and entertainment' indicates the flourishing development of entertainment events, digital video, e-learning, and cultural creative services, with markets for e-commerce platforms, digitalized supply chains, concerts, online games, online courses, and video content continuing to heat up.

Regarding patents, the IPO reported 71,965 total applications for invention, utility model, and design patents in 2025, down 1% year-on-year. Breakdown: 51,230 invention patents (up 1%), 14,000 utility model patents (down 4%), and 6,735 design patents (down 8%).

The slight overall decline in patent applications, coupled with the rise in invention patents, indicates that companies continue to maintain strong R&D momentum. The IPO explained that businesses typically file patents in R&D, manufacturing, and marketing locations. The continued growth in invention patents suggests Taiwan remains a key market for global patent strategies.

The IPO further noted that invention and utility model patents protect technological innovations, while design patents protect product appearance and marketing. Utility models undergo formal examination and grant rights faster, while invention patents require substantive examination and offer higher legal stability. Companies choose the most suitable patent type based on product lifecycle, market strategy, and protection needs to align with their business goals. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150614