SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

Description

H10 encompasses semiconductor devices and electric solid-state devices that do not fall within the more specific semiconductor classes (H01L) or microstructure-related classifications. This class serves as a residual category for novel or unconventional solid-state electronic devices, emerging semiconductor technologies, and electric devices based on solid-state principles that lack dedicated classification spaces elsewhere in the H01 range. The classification includes theoretical frameworks, general device concepts, and hybrid approaches that bridge multiple semiconductor disciplines but do not cleanly fit established subcategories.

Filing statistics

CPC H10 recorded 1,116,542 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023, summed across its 6 subclasses. Annual filings grew from 84,488 in 2013 to 105,442 in 2023 (+25%), peaking at 116,334 applications in 2021. The most active applicants in class H10 are SAMSUNG DISPLAY (38,446 applications), TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY (30,922 applications) and SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY (30,059 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings