Japanese patent analysis agency Patent Result has published a ranking of domestic game and entertainment companies based on the quantity and relevance of their registered and active patents in the past fiscal year. Covering patents from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the study evaluates Bandai as the strongest patent holder in the industry, followed by SIE and mobile game developer Gree.
The full ranking is as follows:
| Company | Patent Score | Number of Patents | |
| 1 | Bandai | 8,565.2 | 245 |
| 2 | Sony Interactive Entertainment | 6,631.0 | 208 |
| 3 | Gree | 5,121.9 | 176 |
| 4 | COLOPL | 4,978.0 | 137 |
| 5 | MIXI | 4,664.8 | 241 |
| 6 | Nintendo | 4,210.8 | 154 |
| 7 | Cygames | 3,633.3 | 76 |
| 8 | Sega | 2,763.2 | 87 |
| 9 | The Pokémon Company | 2,377.3 | 66 |
| 10 | Bandai Namco Amusement | 2,021.6 | 20 |
Source: Patent Result
As mentioned, Patent Result’s ranking accounts for the relevancy of patents rather than just quantity, using a proprietary “Patent Score” system. This is measured through factors such as the frequency of a given patent being cited as a basis for the rejection of another company’s patent, and the frequency of competitors’ attempts to restrain the patent applicant.
Bandai, SIE and Gree were the top three in 2024’s ranking too, albeit with the latter two ahead of Bandai at the time. Of note, Sega and Nintendo (which is at the center of much patent-related discussion and criticism), fell below mobile developers Colopl and Mixi this year.
Unsurprisingly, Bandai’s most relevant patents are related to its toy business, while some of the other powerful patents mentioned by Patent Result include Sony’s applications for “a display system capable of generating virtual objects that appear in real time on a display device,” and “a device that automatically recommends sound effects for videos or computer simulations based on specific characteristics.”
Gree’s highlighted patents include “a computer program for streaming gaming content that controls the streamer’s actions based on the viewers’ engagement,” and “a program that uses collectible in-game items to enhance viewer interest during video content.” Colopl’s strongest patent appears to be more directly game-related, described as “a multiplayer game system that provides a new viewing experience where streamers and viewers feel connected.”
