China’s ZTE files world’s 3rd highest number of patent applications

China’s leading telecom equipment manufacturer, ZTE Corp, was on Thursday ranked third globally in patent applications, the company said citing the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). More than 12,000 handset-related patents have been granted to ZTE. They hold 13 per cent of the world’s 4G-specific patents. The company was ranked third under the 2014 Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). Among all Chinese cellphone companies in the US market, ZTE has the biggest market share, and one of the four most popular brands in the market, according to the company, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. More than 10 per cent of ZTE’s annual business revenue goes toward innovation and research, said CEO Shi Lirong.