The networking industry is undergoing a technological renaissance, driven by innovations in wireless communication, cloud computing, and secure data transmission. As patent filings surge and litigation trends evolve, companies and stakeholders must understand the pulse of this sector.
This article combines insights from patent filings, litigation trends, inventors, classifications, and key players to offer a comprehensive view of the industry’s current state and potential future direction.
Innovation and Patent Filing Trends in Networking
Patent Filing Activity (2017–2023)
Patent filings in the networking domain have seen dynamic shifts in recent years. The year 2022 saw a peak with 135,764 applications, signaling growing technological interest, possibly driven by rapid advances in 5G, edge computing, and connected devices. Interestingly, 2020 marked the highest number of issued patents, while 2018 stood out for the highest grant percentage at 68.29%, indicating that patent offices found the quality of applications during that period more aligned with examination standards.
These fluctuations suggest evolving patent strategies, ranging from quality-focused filings to aggressive application surges in response to market opportunities.
Global Innovation Footprint
The United States leads in networking innovations, with high volumes of patent filings originating there. This reflects its mature R&D ecosystem, home to giants like Cisco, Juniper, and IBM. China, Korea, Japan, and Germany also contribute significantly, revealing their growing emphasis on telecommunications, IoT, and AI-based networking infrastructure. Companies considering where to establish R&D or partnerships might prioritize these innovation hotspots.
Key Technologies (Based on CPC Classifications)
| CPC Code | Description | Patent Volume | Share (%) |
| H04B7 | Radio transmission systems | 250,282 | 15.24% |
| H04W72 | Local resource management | 247,064 | 15.05% |
| H04L12 | Data switching networks | 208,916 | 12.72% |
| H04W4 | Services for wireless communication networks | 191,904 | 11.69% |
| H04B1 | Transmission systems not characterized by transmission medium | 132,263 | 8.05% |
These figures highlight how networking innovation is increasingly focused on efficient data transfer, spectrum utilization, and adaptability across both wireless and wired environments.
Frequently Used Key Concepts in Networking Patents
| Concept | Frequency |
| Configuration Information | 173 |
| Reference Signal | 141 |
| Channel State Information | 98 |
| Radio Resource Control | 93 |
| Program Product | 66 |
Such frequent terminology points to a consistent technical focus in patent language—highlighting areas that applicants must address when framing claims or conducting prior art searches.
Foundational and Influential Networking Patents
Most Cited Active Patents in Networking in the Last Decade
| Patent Number | Citations [other companies filing innovations over these patents] | Assignee |
| US9800293B2 | 712 | Hand Held Prods |
| US8983383B1 | 574 | Amazon Tech Inc |
| US9557166B2 | 540 | Hand Held Prods |
| US9530038B2 | 515 | Hand Held Prods |
| US11240788B2 | 510 | NTT Docomo Inc |
These highly cited patents form the basis for numerous follow-on innovations, suggesting that companies like Amazon and NTT Docomo are anchoring their competitive edge on scalable, foundational networking systems. Additionally, explore insights into patent litigation trends and how networking innovations are shaping industries in the post “Patent Litigation Trends 2019: A 43% Drop from 2018.”
Top Forward-Cited Patents (Published in the Last 5 Years)
These patents underscore key advances in cloud communication, encryption, and medical device networking:
- US10849697B2 (ETHICON LLC): Cloud-based interfaces for surgical device data management.
- US10892899B2 (ETHICON LLC): Self-describing encrypted data packets.
- US10944728B2 (ETHICON LLC): Encrypted medical system communications.
- US10580320B2 (FANUC CORP): Positional guidance for machine assembly.
- US10911515B2 (DEKA PRODUCTS LP): Dual-link secure patient communication.
Their high citation rates reflect the strategic integration of networking capabilities in sectors like healthcare and industrial automation.
Key Stakeholders in Networking
Top Inventors by Patent Volume
| Rank | Inventor | Patents |
| 1 | Choi, Jinsoo | 1,834 |
| 2 | Luo, Tao | 1,683 |
| 3 | Li, Junyi | 1,586 |
| 4 | Jaehyeong Kim | 1,283 |
| 5 | Zhang, Xiaoxia | 1,092 |
These inventors are not just prolific; they represent companies or research institutions consistently producing high-impact innovations. Monitoring their work could help identify future technology trends.
Top Law Firms Supporting Networking Innovation
- Hardware & Software Solutions: D Young & Co LLP – 1,500+ filings.
- Security & Cloud Infrastructure: Edell, Shapiro & Finnan, LLC – known for robust IP defense in cybersecurity.
- SDN & Network Infrastructure: Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C. and Barron and Young Intellectual Property Limited – specialists in advanced networking patent strategy.
These firms not only lead in filings but also shape the patent narratives through claim construction and portfolio management.
Networking Industry Litigation Trends & Legal Landscape
US vs. China Litigation Trends
| Year | US Cases | China Cases |
| 2021 | 57 | 3 |
| 2022 | 34 | 2 |
| 2023 | 40 | 0 |
The contrast is stark—China has seen a near elimination of networking litigation, possibly due to stricter patent enforcement or fewer NPEs. Meanwhile, the US landscape remains volatile, reflecting both aggressive enforcement and defense.
Most Assertive Plaintiffs (By Case Count)
| Rank | Plaintiff | Cases |
| 1 | PersonalWeb Technologies, LLC | 172 |
| 2 | Sportbrain Holdings, LLC | 163 |
| 3 | Unified Messaging Solutions | 135 |
| 4 | Ameranth, Inc. | 134 |
| 5 | Magnacross, LLC | 116 |
These plaintiffs are largely Non-Practicing Entities (NPEs), known for targeting operational firms with broad or legacy patents, often as part of licensing campaigns.
PTAB remains the primary forum for defending against weak patents, while EDTX continues to be a hotspot for quick litigation resolutions due to its plaintiff-friendly reputation.
Venue Preferences (2019–2023)
| PTAB | 1,127 | 37.4% |
| Venue | Cases | Share (%) |
| Eastern District TX | 739 | 24.5% |
| Western District TX | 9 | 0.3% |
| Delaware District | 11 | 0.4% |
NPE Dominance & Inter Partes Review (IPR) Trends
- NPEs accounted for 77% of IPR challenges.
- 8 out of 10 IPRs led to patent invalidation.
This trend raises concerns about patent quality among NPEs and emphasizes the importance of robust prior art research during prosecution. Key NPEs facing IPRs include XR Communications, WSOU Investments, and Neodron.
Patent Examination: Strategic Insights
Within Tech Center 2400 (Groups 2440–2450), which focuses on computer networks, Art Units 2441 and 2457 exhibit the highest acceptance rates at 85%, while Art Unit 2449 lags at 71%. For applicants, targeting high-acceptance units or structuring claims to align with favorable examination patterns may increase grant chances and reduce the number of office actions.
Emerging Observations and Strategic Questions
- Is it time to rethink IP strategy around NPEs? With a high rate of IPR invalidations and lawsuits driven by NPEs, companies should proactively review and bolster their freedom-to-operate strategies.
- Where should innovation centers be established? Given the patent output from the US, China, Korea, Japan, and Germany, firms must weigh between cost, talent, and legal frameworks in choosing innovation hubs.
- Are healthcare and robotics driving future networking innovations? The presence of ETHICON, FANUC, and DEKA among the top forward-cited assignees suggests that medical and industrial networks are now central to R&D efforts.
- Can claim language optimization help with faster grants? Frequent terms like “configuration information” and “reference signal” offer clues into standard terminologies that examiners are familiar with—insightful for drafting strong claims.
- Is there an opportunity in China’s stable legal climate? With declining litigation, China might emerge as a less risky jurisdiction for patent prosecution or cross-border enforcement.
Conclusion
The networking domain stands at the intersection of aggressive innovation and heightened legal activity. From foundational patents in encrypted communication to an evolving litigation landscape dominated by NPEs, stakeholders must tread with strategic foresight. R&D investment in patent-dense geographies, vigilant monitoring of legal trends, and engagement with expert legal counsel are no longer optional—they are essential for competitive survival and growth in this ever-evolving industry.
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