Xiaomi has announced the release of its inaugural intellectual property (“IP”) white paper. The white paper showcases Xiaomi’s IP achievements and its technological innovation capabilities.
Currently, Xiaomi is engaged in 12 technological fields of research and development, which includes 5G mobile communication technology, big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, reaching 98 sub-segments. As of September 30, 2021, the Group ranked 13th worldwide in 5G self-declared patent families. Since then, the company has also obtained more than 29,000 patents globally, covering more than 60 countries and regions.
The white paper shows the diverse and complex IP environment facing Chinese enterprises with global ambitions. By actively responding to lawsuits, signaling an openness to cooperation and striving to pursue a multilateral win-win strategy, Xiaomi has managed to expand its global footprint.
Xiaomi has been able to expand its footprint in more than 100 markets around the world. The Company’s businesses span across smartphones, smart TVs, smart large home appliances, wearables and internet services. Its research and development efforts were demonstrated in areas including smartphone operating system, imaging, charging, smart TV operating system, AI, etc.
Taking MIUI as an example, by September 30, 2022, Xiaomi had more than 7,700 patents worldwide in terms of MIUI operating system and software functions. The Group also has more than 700 patents in smartphone charging technology, including but not limited to the underlying circuit architecture, safety management and transmission optimization.
When it comes to the Xiaomi smartphone’s imaging technology, the company has more than 1,000 patents for imaging technology worldwide. Apart from elevating Xiaomi’s smartphone user experience, the Company also strived to expand its 5G patent portfolio. By the end of September 2021, Xiaomi ranked 13th in 5G self-declared patent families. As at the end of September 2022, Xiaomi had led and participated in the formulation of more than 260 national, industrial and group standards and its technical capabilities have been recognized by the industry.
Xiaomi’s IP system has led to the development of a wide range of usage scenarios in its smart living ecosystem. After years of development, the Group now holds more than 1,200 AI-related patents globally. Xiaomi’s AI call noise reduction technology has been applied in more than 60 products, driving the company’s business growth.
Xiaomi is committed to “Technology for Good”. Propelled by the Group’s technological capabilities, Xiaomi gradually developed accessibility features in its MIUI operating system. For example, Xiaomi’s haptic technology, ambient sound recognition and text-to-speech technology are designed for users with visual, hearing and speech impairment respectively, allowing more underprivileged users to enjoy the convenience of technology.
In 2013, Xiaomi’s IP system was in its infancy focusing on protecting its self-developed technology and patenting its hardware and MIUI operating system. As from 2014 to 2019, Xiaomi accelerated its development in overseas markets. Xiaomi took India and Southeast Asia markets as a starting point and stepped into European and Latin American markets gradually. Xiaomi’s IP rights grew rapidly during the period with more than 2,000 global patent applications. From 2015 and onwards, the average annual global patent applications were approximately 6,000.
During the period, Xiaomi faced complex IP disputes, just five months after Xiaomi entered the India smartphone market in July 2014, the Group encountered a patent lawsuit with the global information and communication technology provider Ericsson. After a five-year legal contest, Xiaomi and Ericsson finally settled the dispute amicably in September 2019.
Also, BlueSpike, a non-practicing entity, accused Xiaomi of infringing its patent rights on multiple smartphone models in 2013. The lawsuit ended with BlueSpike’s withdrawal of the lawsuit, reflecting on how Xiaomi’s intellectual property rights, protect its business development efforts. Xiaomi has also secured legal judgments against Sisvel, IPCom and others, contributing to the establishment of the FRAND (“Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory”) principle in the global IP field.
Through different means such as acquisition, cross-licensing and patent transfer, Xiaomi has been able to accumulate significant patent achievements. In 2016, Xiaomi and Microsoft expanded their global partnership. Xiaomi has made outstanding progress in IP globalization since 2020 and accumulated substantial achievements in intellectual property. As at the end of September 2022, Xiaomi has obtained more than 29,000 patents worldwide, covering more than 60 countries and regions.