May 14, 2026

Murata Manufacturing Strengthens IP Strategy for the AI Era

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Japan’s Murata Manufacturing is strengthening its intellectual property strategy as competition intensifies with rivals from South Korea and China. At the center of this effort is the multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC), a tiny but essential electronic component used in smartphones, electric vehicles, and increasingly, AI servers.

Murata currently controls approximately 40% of the global MLCC market, maintaining its position as the world’s leading manufacturer. As demand for AI infrastructure rapidly expands, the company is using patents not only to protect technology, but also to strengthen its long-term competitive position.

Patents as a Competitive Fortress

Murata has long rewarded employees for inventions, but the company has significantly expanded its incentive programs in recent years. In fiscal 2025, payments to patent holders were reportedly 2.5 times higher than in 2015. Employees can now receive rewards of up to ¥1 million for promising inventions, even before patents are officially registered.

The strategy reflects growing pressure from competitors. South Korea’s Samsung Electro-Mechanics is aggressively pursuing high-end MLCC technologies, while Chinese companies are rapidly expanding in lower-cost mass-market products. Patent analysis data indicates that Murata remains the global leader in patent strength, although Samsung has steadily narrowed the gap since 2020. Meanwhile, China has become the world’s largest filer of MLCC-related patents.

Murata’s strong focus on intellectual property was shaped by difficult experience. In 2009, the company lost a patent infringement lawsuit against Samsung involving MLCC technology, partly due to the outflow of personnel and product samples to competitors. Since then, Murata has reinforced internal patent management while further strengthening rewards for innovation.

Today, the company is involved in more than 10 patent-related lawsuits in China, compared with none a decade ago. Murata executives argue that protecting even low-cost market segments is essential to maintaining technological leadership.

Riding the AI Boom

The rapid expansion of AI servers is creating enormous demand for advanced MLCCs. Each AI server requires between 15,000 and 25,000 capacitors, many capable of handling high voltage and extreme heat. These demanding technical requirements favor Murata’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.

To support future growth, Murata has also begun integrating AI into its own intellectual property operations. A new internal AI-focused team established in 2026 is using AI tools to analyze competitor technologies, streamline patent investigations, and identify potential business partners.

The company expects data center-related sales to rise sharply through 2027, driven by global investment in AI infrastructure. Investor expectations have also strengthened, pushing Murata’s market capitalization above ¥10 trillion for the first time in 2026.

For Japan, Murata’s strategy represents more than corporate success. It highlights how intellectual property, advanced manufacturing, and continuous innovation are becoming increasingly essential for Japanese manufacturers seeking to maintain technological leadership amid intensifying competition from China and South Korea.