One invention can leave many paper trails
A patent leaderboard can change dramatically depending on whether it counts publications, applications or families. First ask what the unit actually measures.
Canvas of Knowledge · 14 November 2026 · Illustrated explainerFamily links
A patent family groups applications with the same or related technical content through priority relationships. Related filings can appear in different jurisdictions and at different procedural stages.
Definitions differ
The EPO distinguishes simple families covering the same technical content from extended families covering similar content. Other databases may group the records differently.
Compare fairly
For Chinese, European and North American firms, state the date range, jurisdictions, ownership rules and family definition. A larger publication count alone does not demonstrate better technology.
THE IDEA TO KEEPCount consistently before drawing conclusions about inventive strength.
Sources & further reading
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