The Intellectual Property & Science business of Thomson Reuters has released its annual analysis of global patent trends in its fourth-annual State of Innovation report. This publication tracks patent activity across 12 key technology areas using the Thomson Reuters Derwent World Patents Index (DWPISM) database.
Findings from the report indicate that the largest increase in patent activity over the prior period was in the medical device technology area, which grew by 15.7 percent, a reinforcement of the importance of these inventions in addressing health issues of the world's exploding population. The sub-categories under the technology area of Food, Tobacco & Beverage Fermentation saw the largest sub-sector increases across all areas. Tobacco-related innovation sparked up 58 percent and sugar-related inventions were sweetened 56 percent, as manufacturers of these goods seek alternative pathways to profit.
Japan had the greatest representation amongst the top 10 assignees in the Asia Pacific region. China, despite being the world leader in overall patent filing volume, holds 27 of the top 120 assignee slots, whereas Japan has 67 of them.
Further, the report notes that the technology area with the largest overall volume continues to be Computers & Peripherals, for the fourth consecutive year, with a volume of 232,549 filings in 2012. Within this area, the sub-category of Computers inched ahead 3 percent (to a total of 201,608 filings), whereas scanners experienced a 34 percent decline over the prior period, as this technology becomes more obsolete.
The data in this report were compiled using the Thomson Reuters DWPI database to aggregate granted patents and published applications (examined and unexamined) from January 1 through December 12, 2012.
