Patent ID: 8125763

Claim:
A multilayer ceramic electronic component comprising: a ceramic body including a plurality of stacked ceramic layers, the ceramic body having a first main surface and a second main surface that faces the first main surface and a plurality of side surfaces that connect the first main surface to the second main surface; an internal conductor disposed in the ceramic body and having an exposed portion exposed at least one of the plurality of side surfaces of the ceramic body; and an external terminal electrode disposed on at least one of the plurality of side surfaces of the ceramic body, the external terminal electrode covering the exposed portion of the internal conductor; wherein the external terminal electrode includes a metal plating film covering the exposed portion of the internal conductor and a copper plating film covering the metal plating film and in contact with the ceramic body; and a copper oxide is present in a discontinuous manner inside the copper plating film at least at an interface between the copper plating film and the ceramic body.