Target has a total of 2579 patents globally, out of which 2170 have been granted. Of these 2579 patents, more than 66% patents are active. United States of America is where Target has filed the maximum number of patents, followed by Canada and Australia. Parallelly, United States of America seems to be the main focused R&D centre and also is the origin country of Target.
Target was founded in the year 1902. The Company operates general merchandise discount stores. The Company focuses on merchandising operations which includes general merchandise and food discount stores and a fully integrated online business. Company also offers credit to qualified applicants through its branded proprietary credit cards.
Do read about some of the most popular patents of Target which have been covered by us in this article and also you can find Target patents information, the worldwide patent filing activity and its patent filing trend over the years, and many other stats over Target patent portfolio.
How many patents does Target have?
Target has a total of 2579 patents globally. These patents belong to 1734 unique patent families. Out of 2579 patents, 1716 patents are active.
How Many Patents did Target File Every Year?
Are you wondering why there is a drop in patent filing for the last two years? It is because a patent application can take up to 18 months to get published. Certainly, it doesn’t suggest a decrease in the patent filing.
| Year of Patents Filing or Grant | Target Applications Filed | Target Patents Granted |
| 2024 | 7 | 77 |
| 2023 | 68 | 115 |
| 2022 | 106 | 133 |
| 2021 | 126 | 103 |
| 2020 | 146 | 96 |
| 2019 | 146 | 76 |
| 2018 | 126 | 63 |
| 2017 | 93 | 81 |
| 2016 | 69 | 119 |
| 2015 | 109 | 157 |
| 2014 | 202 | 308 |
| 2013 | 278 | 247 |
How many Target patents are Alive/Dead?
How Many Patents did Target File in Different Countries?
Countries in which Target Filed Patents
| Country | Patents |
| United States of America | 2090 |
| Canada | 420 |
| Australia | 15 |
| Europe (EPO) | 10 |
| China | 7 |
| Italy | 6 |
| Mexico | 6 |
| Japan | 3 |
| Taiwan | 1 |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
| Spain | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
| Germany | 1 |
| Korea (South) | 1 |
Where are Research Centres of Target Patents Located?
10 Best Target Patents
US8325036B1 is the most popular patent in the Target portfolio. It has received 156 citations so far from companies like IBM, Fujitsu and Amazon.
Below is the list of 10 most cited patents of Target:
| Publication Number | Citation Count |
| US8325036B1 | 156 |
| US7797252B2 | 141 |
| US8016090B2 | 131 |
| US8814128B2 | 115 |
| US8447983B1 | 112 |
| USD752905S1 | 110 |
| USD835437S1 | 107 |
| US8457354B1 | 105 |
| USD848768S1 | 103 |
| US8489452B1 | 101 |
Patents acquired by Target
Target has acquired 9 patents from other companies which are not associated with Target.
| Company | Patent Families |
| United Steel & Wire | 6 |
| Americhip | 2 |
| Beifa Group | 1 |
List of acquired patents of Target
| Publication Number | Title | Patent Acquired From |
| US7520425B2 | Slide-out gift card | Americhip |
| US7445157B2 | Model-hold stored value card | Americhip |
| US7237782B2 | Rear gate assembly for shopping cart | United Steel & Wire |
| USD528732S1 | Plastic shopping cart basket | United Steel & Wire |
| USD526106S1 | Bottom tray for shopping cart | United Steel & Wire |
| USD525008S1 | Shopping cart handle | United Steel & Wire |
| USD523207S1 | Plastic child seat for shopping cart | United Steel & Wire |
| US6981708B1 | Shopping cart basket | United Steel & Wire |
| CN301998173S | Pen | Beifa Group |
Target is investing in store technology to make shopping even better! While customers may not be aware of all the new technology fueling the in-store shopping experience, they are already reaping the benefits.
Let’s say a guest can’t find an item in their size or prefers a different colour. Rather than leaving the store empty-handed, they can now have a Target associate place an online order right on the sales floor and have it delivered to their homes.
How? Target’s tech team created a new software called “myCheckout” for team members’ portable devices. Team members can utilise myCheckout to browse Target.com for desired items, then accept payments from customers using a credit card reader linked to the mobile tablet. Guests leave knowing that their purchases are on their way to them—and that shipping is free!
EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS COMING SOON!
What are Target’s key innovation segments?
What Technologies are Covered by Target?
The chart below distributes patents filed by Target in different countries on the basis of the technology protected in patents. It also represents the markets where Target thinks it’s important to protect particular technology inventions.
R&D Focus: How Target search focus changed over the years?
EXCLUSIVE INSIGHTS COMING SOON!