Microsoft has been actively working in the field of quantum computing, with a focus on developing topological qubits. Recently, the company announced Majorana 1, a quantum processor powered by topological qubits, as part of its ongoing efforts in this space.
A look at Microsoft’s patent portfolio shows that it has filed over 500 patents related to quantum computing. The majority of these patents fall under Topological & Superconducting Quantum Computing, followed by Quantum Circuit Optimization & Error Correction, and Machine Learning. This gives an idea of the areas Microsoft is prioritizing within quantum computing.
At the same time, other companies are also actively filing patents in quantum computing, making it a competitive area of research and development. With ongoing advancements, patents continue to play a role in shaping the direction of this technology.
Do read about some of the most popular patents of Microsoft Quantum Computing which have been covered by us in this article and also you can find Microsoft Quantum Computing patents information, the worldwide patent filing activity and its patent filing trend over the years, and many other stats over Microsoft Quantum Computing patent portfolio.
Do read about some interesting highlights of the Microsoft Patent Portfolio, Microsoft Mesh, Microsoft AI smart backpack, Microsoft Hololens Patents and Microsoft Subsidiaries:
How Many Patents Does Microsoft Have in Quantum Computing?
Microsoft has filed has a total of 546 patents globally. These patents belong to 178 unique patent families. Out of 546 patents, 445 patents are active.
How Many Patents did Microsoft File Every Year in Quantum Computing?
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 | Quantum Computing Applications Filed | Quantum Computing Patents Granted |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 |
| 2023 | 17 | 17 |
| 2022 | 78 | 21 |
| 2021 | 105 | 26 |
| 2020 | 119 | 18 |
| 2019 | 73 | 16 |
| 2018 | 37 | 5 |
| 2017 | 26 | 5 |
| 2016 | 13 | 8 |
| 2015 | 26 | 5 |
| 2014 | 15 | 4 |
| 2013 | 14 | 2 |
| 2012 | 7 | 2 |
| 2011 | 9 | 3 |
How many Microsoft Quantum Computing patents are Alive/Dead?
Worldwide Patents
How Many Quantum Computing Patents did Microsoft File in Different Countries?
Countries in which Microsoft Filed Patents in Quantum Computing
| Country | Patents |
| United States of America | 173 |
| Europe (EPO) | 94 |
| China | 48 |
| India | 26 |
| Korea (South) | 24 |
| Australia | 19 |
| Germany | 17 |
| Japan | 15 |
| Taiwan | 6 |
| United Kingdom | 3 |
| Hong Kong (S.A.R.) | 3 |
| Brazil | 2 |
| Mexico | 2 |
| Canada | 2 |
| Singapore | 2 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| Indonesia | 2 |
| Israel | 2 |
| Russian Federation | 1 |
| Austria | 1 |
Where are Research Centers of Microsoft Quantum Computing Patents Located?
Microsoft Quantum Computing Patents Technology Area
Between 2011 and 2024, Microsoft has filed over 170 patent families related to quantum computing. These patents cover various aspects of quantum technology, with a particular focus on Topological & Superconducting Quantum Computing (53 patents) and Quantum Circuit Optimization & Error Correction (43 patents).
The distribution of Microsoft’s quantum computing patents shows its focus on different areas within the field. While the majority are in quantum hardware and error correction, other key areas include Machine Learning (13 patents), Quantum Hardware Design & Modeling (12 patents), and Quantum Computation & Simulation (10 patents).
The chart below distributes patents filed by Microsoft in different countries on the basis of the technology protected in quantum computing patents. It also represents the markets where Microsoft thinks it’s important to protect particular technology inventions.
R&D Focus: How Microsoft Research Focus Changed Over the Years in Quantum Computing?
Most Cited Patent of Microsoft Quantum Computing
US8693087B2 is the most popular patent in the Microsoft Quantum Computing. It has received 74 citations so far from companies like Rockwell Collins, IBM and Digilens Inc.
Below is the list of 10 most cited patents of Microsoft Quantum Computing:
| Publication Number | Citation Count |
| US8693087B2 | 74 |
| US9443576B1 | 65 |
| US8620855B2 | 43 |
| US20140026107A1 | 42 |
| US8209279B2 | 26 |
| US20180232649A1 | 21 |
| US9269052B2 | 20 |
| US20170330101A1 | 18 |
| US9514415B2 | 16 |
| US9461588B1 | 15 |
How many inventions of other companies were rejected due to Microsoft Quantum Computing patents?
The statistics below share strategic R&D insights. It tells the companies that were trying to protect inventions similar to Microsoft invention. They couldn’t because Microsoft had protected those before them.
Examiners at the USPTO referred 53 Microsoft Quantum Computing patents in 327 rejections (35 USC § 102 or 35 USC § 103 types).
The top citing companies in the Microsoft patent portfolio are IBM, PsiQuantum Corp and Rockwell Collins Inc.
List of the Companies whose Patents were rejected citing Microsoft Quantum Computing –
| Company | Number of Patent Applications that faced Rejection Citing Microsoft Quantum Computing Patents | Number of Rejections (102 & 103) |
| IBM | 28 | 66 |
| PsiQuantum Corp | 15 | 33 |
| Rockwell Collins Inc | 6 | 27 |
| Lightmatter Inc | 6 | 7 |
| Amazon | 5 | 6 |
| Quantum Digital Solutions Corporation | 5 | 5 |
| Red Hat Inc | 4 | 9 |
| 4 | 4 | |
| Bank Of America Corporation | 3 | 10 |
| Digilens Inc | 3 | 27 |
Top Microsoft Quantum Computing Patents used in Rejecting Most Patent Applications
| Patent Number | Count of Rejected Applications |
| US9443576B1 | 15 |
| US20180232649A1 | 11 |
| US8693087B2 | 10 |
| US8620855B2 | 8 |
| US20140026107A1 | 8 |
| US10777605B2 | 5 |
| US10990677B2 | 5 |
| US20170330101A1 | 5 |
| US9256834B2 | 4 |
| US20190378032A1 | 4 |
| US10469087B1 | 4 |
| US9514415B2 | 4 |
| US20190220497A1 | 4 |
| US20200287120A1 | 4 |
| US10133984B2 | 3 |
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