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EPO Receives Record 201,974 Patent Applications in 2025 — AI and Quantum Tech Drive Growth as China Surpasses Japan

The European Patent Office (EPO) announced on April 13, 2026 that patent applications received in 2025 exceeded 200,000 ...

2026.04.17

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

Disney, WB, Universal Fire Back Against Chinese AI Firm MiniMax’s Bid to Dismiss Copyright Suit Over Hailuo AI

Disney, Warner Bros., and Universal are urging a California federal judge to deny Chinese AI company MiniMax's motion to dismiss their copyright infringement suit over the Hailuo AI generative video service. The April 10, 2026 motion raises key legal questions on personal jurisdiction, copyright registration specificity, and extraterritorial AI training. A hearing is set for May 29, 2026.

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

PTAB IPR Filings Hit Historic Low in Q1 2026: 64% Drop and Discretionary Denial Surge Signal Structural Shift

PTAB inter partes review petitions collapsed 64% year-over-year in Q1 2026 to just 131 total filings. Institution rates for NPEs fell to 24.6%, discretionary denials surged 622% YoY, and ex parte reexamination hit its second-highest level in history. Analysis of the structural shift in U.S. post-grant proceedings.

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

USPTO Creates Pre-Order Response Procedure for Ex Parte Reexamination—Patent Owners Get 30 Days to Contest SNQ Before Order Issues

The USPTO introduced a new Pre-Order Response Procedure for ex parte reexamination effective April 1, 2026. Under an Off...

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

EPO 2026 Examination Guidelines Enter Force—AI Provisions, Color Drawings, PACE Changes, and New Medical Use Chapter

The European Patent Office’s 2026 Guidelines for Examination under the EPC entered into force on April 1, 2026. The revi...

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

PTAB Petition Filings Collapse 64% in Q1 2026—Discretionary Denials Drive Historic Low

PTAB petition filings fell 64.2% year-over-year to a historic low of 131 petitions in the first quarter of 2026, accordi...

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

IP News

Apple’s Foldable iPhone Patent: What the ‘Strengthened Foldable Cover’ Reveals About Hinge Design and Durability

Apple's 'Electronic Device With Strengthened Foldable Cover' patent reveals a glass hinge technology targeting crease depth under 0.15mm. Analysis of the differential strengthening approach and how it contrasts with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold design.

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

Patent Updates

China’s Patent Boom Is No Longer Just a ‘Pile of Low-Quality Paper’ — Three Realities Companies Must Face

The narrative that China's patent filings are mostly low-quality noise is increasingly untenable. Analysis of three concrete risks — prior art impact, FoE constraints, and extraterritorial rights expansion — for companies worldwide.

2026.04.16

パテント探偵社編集部

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