
The growth of global semiconductor patent applications by 22% to around 81,000 per year also reflects the growing geopolitical competition over semiconductor technology. Worldwide semiconductor sales were $57.8 billion in November 2024, a 20.7% increase compared to the same month the previous year. The increase is a mirror, not only of technological progress, but also of countries’ strategic moves to claim leadership in a field that is crucially important to both economic and national security.
China's Drive for Self-Reliance
In 2023-24 China had a dramatic 42% increase in patent filings at 46,591. This is led by the Chinese government’s efforts to decrease reliance on foreign technology and attain semiconductor self-sufficiency. The backdrop of this push are the sanctions and export restrictions from the United States. The number of Chinese companies engaged in research and development (R&D) has also intensified. But even though China tops the world in patent filings, its R&D intensity (7.6%) lags significantly behind that of the U.S. (18.8%). That means China should focus more on the depth of innovations instead of just piling up more patents.

The U.S. Regulatory Measures and Impact on Innovation
The United States has proposed strict export regulations on high-end integrated circuits to prevent transnational transfer of advanced technologies. Nonetheless, a recent analysis of 30 leading semiconductor companies suggests that these restrictions have not stifled innovation in the industry. This paradoxical result can be explained by the affected firms’ increasing stake in the exponentially growing AI semiconductor industry, which has powered their expansion and innovation initiatives.
Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Resilience
The geopolitical tussle over supremacy in semiconductors has exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chain. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing geopolitical conflicts have disrupted supply chains, highlighting global dependence on regions like Taiwan, home to some of the leading semiconductor manufacturing facilities. This concentration underscores concerns about supply chain resilience, prompting countries like the U.S. and the European Union to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing facilities. For instance, the U.S. CHIPS Act, a $52 billion initiative, incentivises domestic production, with companies like Intel and TSMC committing billions to new facilities in Ohio and Arizona, respectively. Similarly, the European Chips Act aims to double Europe’s share of global semiconductor production to 20% by 2030.

The Role of AI in Driving Innovation
With the rapid rise of AI in the last years, the semiconductor patent filings that are being submitted have risen. However, AI has become very demanding in terms of the specialized chips thus driving up the costs of R&D and the patent activity that follows. The technology in demand is most frequently seen in the U.S. and China. It is because the companies in these countries are the ones that are developing the cutting-edge technology that allows them to seize the lead in AI. Nonetheless, the sale of the products is not only used to measure the market, but it is also a strategic move to reinforce the position of one or several companies in a sector that has significant economic as well as security implications.
India’s Aspirations in the Semiconductor Industry
Realising the strategic importance of semiconductors, India has also been exploring avenues to establish itself within the global supply chain. However, building a robust semiconductor ecosystem requires substantial investment, infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships—areas where India is still in the nascent stages.
AI's Growing Influence on Politics and Society
Moving forward, greater AI interference in the political arena and ideology will be more noticeable during the next five to ten years. AI technologies not only provide solutions to the problems faced by elections but also increase them. At the same time, disinformation and cyber vulnerabilities in the election systems are the cases. A good example of this is the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where AI was increasingly involved in spreading manipulated content and fabricating stories. A deepfake video manipulation technology was used to create a fake video showing President Joe Biden saying things that the president never said. This video content, shared by most people on social media, gave the voters misinformation and it brought up the issue of the integrity of the information taken in by the voters.
Conclusion
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the global semiconductor industry will undergo significant shifts. The U.S. and China are accelerating their innovation efforts, while countries like India are striving to establish themselves in this critical sector. To ensure that technological advancements positively impact society, it will be essential to address the ethical and social implications of AI, particularly in the political sphere.
IP Round up

DeepSeek's AI Breakthrough Shakes US Tech Giants
US stocks plunged on Monday, with Nvidia losing nearly $600 billion in market value, following the announcement of a breakthrough AI model by Chinese startup DeepSeek. The company’s ChatGPT-like R1 model operates at a fraction of the cost of US counterparts, raising concerns about the dominance of American AI companies. Despite DeepSeek's low-cost achievement, critics question its ability to match the infrastructure needs of larger AI models. The shock led to a market selloff, particularly in tech stocks, with concerns about overspending in AI development. However, some analysts caution the market reaction may be overstated, given DeepSeek's unproven long-term impact. (Source: CNN)

High-Stakes Trademark Battle
The Bombay High Court witnessed a ₹5,000-crore trademark dispute on January 27 as Macrotech Developers, led by Abhishek Lodha, sued the House of Abhinandan Lodha over the alleged misuse of the ‘Lodha’ name. Macrotech claims exclusive rights to the trademark since 1980, accusing Abhinandan of violating agreements prohibiting its use. Abhinandan’s team argued there’s no market confusion since his brand operates as ‘House of Abhinandan Lodha’ and cited past instances where Macrotech sought his support. The court emphasized the familial nature of the dispute and suggested mediation but faced disagreements over conditions regarding the name’s usage during the process. (Source:CNBCtv18)

Elton John and Paul McCartney Urge UK to Protect Artists from AI Exploitation
Elton John and Paul McCartney have called on the UK government to protect artists from AI exploitation as it considers changes to copyright laws. Proposed reforms may allow AI developers to use online content for training models unless creators opt out. Critics, including John and McCartney, argue it’s unrealistic for artists to monitor the widespread use of their work by various AI firms. John warned that such laws would let tech companies access artists’ work freely, threatening livelihoods and diluting earnings for young musicians. McCartney emphasized the need to safeguard creators’ rights, cautioning that without proper protections, creativity could decline. (Source: ndtv)

Huawei Tops 5G Patent Rankings
Huawei has emerged as the leader in 5G patents, topping LexisNexis’ Cellular Verified rankings, which assess contributions to 5G standards and declared patents. The rankings highlight a significant rise in patent declarations, growing from 18,832 in 2020 to 57,426 by October 2024. Huawei leads in multiple categories, including granted patents and technical standards contributions, followed by Qualcomm and Ericsson. However, LexisNexis emphasizes that patent value, not quantity, defines true leadership. Its Patent Asset Index, measuring technology relevance and market coverage, places Qualcomm first, with Huawei second and Ericsson fifth, highlighting the influence of R&D-driven strategies. Critics argue patent counts can overstate essentiality, as not all patents contribute equally to 5G’s core functionality. (Source: LightReading)

Zen Technologies Wins Patent for Advanced T-90 Tank Gunnery Simulator
Zen Technologies Ltd announced on Monday that it has secured an Indian patent for its basic gunnery training simulator designed for the T-90 tank, marking its 12th patent in FY 2024-25. The simulator enhances tank gunners' technical and operational skills by replicating battlefield scenarios, including target acquisition, ammunition selection, and firing simulations. Equipped with an advanced motion platform, it realistically mimics pitch, roll, and surge dynamics, providing an immersive training experience. Its containerised design allows easy deployment in diverse environments. While tailored for T-90 tank crews, the simulator is adaptable for training gunners of any main battle tank globally, expanding its market potential. (Source: TOI)

Indian Media Groups Challenge OpenAI in Landmark Copyright Lawsuit
IE Online Media Services (Express Group), HT Digital Streams, NDTV Convergence, and the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) filed an intervention in ANI’s copyright lawsuit against OpenAI, arguing that the case’s outcome could reshape news-sharing and significantly impact journalists’ livelihoods. The application accuses OpenAI of violating intellectual property rights by using news content without authorization, contrasting this with OpenAI’s licensing agreements with global publishers like Associated Press and News Corp. The DNPA also highlighted concerns over Big Tech platforms, including search engines and social media, monetizing news content without compensating original publishers, an issue raised with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. OpenAI countered that Indian courts lack jurisdiction as the disputed data wasn’t processed in India. (Source: Financial Express)
References/ Read More
- Agence France-Presse. (2025, January 26). Elton John, Paul McCartney warn UK government over AI copyright threat. NDTV. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/elton-john-paul-mccartney-warn-uk-government-over-ai-copyright-threat-7565081
- Allen, G. (2023, October 6). In Chip Race, China Gives Huawei the Steering Wheel: Huawei’s New Smartphone and the Future of Semiconductor Export Controls. Center for Strategic and International Studies. Retrieved from https://www.csis.org/analysis/did-us-semiconductor-export-controls-harm-innovation
- Bharadwaj, S. (2025, January 27). Zen Technologies gets Indian patent for T-90 tank gunnery training simulator. Times of India. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/zen-technologies-gets-indian-patent-for-t-90-tank-gunnery-training-simulator/articleshow/117607728.cms
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2023, June 15). The Geopolitics of the Semiconductor Industry and India’s Place in It. Retrieved from https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/06/the-geopolitics-of-the-semiconductor-industry-and-indias-place-in-it
- Financial Express. (2025, January 27). Technology Express: NDTV, HT, DNPA seek to join ANI copyright lawsuit against OpenAI – All you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-express-ndtv-ht-dnpa-seek-to-join-ani-copyright-lawsuit-against-openai-all-you-need-to-know-3727963/
- Goldman, D., & Egan, M. (2025, January 27). DeepSeek’s breakthrough rattles US tech stocks as Nvidia loses $600 billion in market value. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/27/tech/deepseek-stocks-ai-china/index.html
- Kumar, A., & Pullokaran, J. J. (2025, January 27). Lodha vs Lodha: Abhishek Lodha, Macrotech Developers, brothers clash in Bombay High Court over ₹5,000 crore trademark dispute. CNBC TV18. Retrieved from https://www.cnbctv18.com/market/stocks/lodha-vs-lodha-abhishek-lodha-macrotech-developers-brothers-clash-in-bombay-high-court-over-rs-5000-crore-trademark-dispute-19547052.htm
- Mathys & Squire LLP. (2023, October 6). Semiconductor patent applications up 22% globally to 81,000 a year. Retrieved from https://www.mathys-squire.com/insights-and-events/news/semiconductor-patent-applications-up-22-globally-to-81000-a-year/
- McBride, J., & Laskai, L. (2018, February 21). Is ‘Made in China 2025’ a Threat to Global Trade? Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved from https://itif.org/publications/2024/08/19/how-innovative-is-china-in-semiconductors/
- Morris, I. (2025, January 23). Qualcomm beats Huawei in new ranking of 5G patents by value. Light Reading. Retrieved from https://www.lightreading.com/5g/qualcomm-beats-huawei-in-new-ranking-of-5g-patents-by-value
- MRL Consulting Group. (n.d.). The Impact of Geopolitical Tensions on the Semiconductor Industry. Retrieved from https://www.mrlcg.com/resources/blog/the-impact-of-geopolitical-tensions-on-the-semiconductor-industry/
- Semiconductor Digest. (2024, December 15). Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Market to Reach $40.3 Billion by 2031. Retrieved from https://www.semiconductor-digest.com/
- SIA. (2024, January 5). Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 20.7% Year-to-Year in November; Annual Sales Projected to Increase 25.6% in 2024. Semiconductor Industry Association. Retrieved from https://www.semiconductors.org/news-events/latest-news/
- The White House. (2024, October 7). Biden-Harris Administration Announces Export Controls on Advanced Computing and Semiconductor Manufacturing Items to the People’s Republic of China. Retrieved from https://www.semiconductors.org/news-events/latest-news/