Thomson Reuters Releases "2010 State of Innovation Report"

Thomson Reuters released their annual "State of Innovation Report," where 12 technology areas were reviewed for patent activity, including:

1. Computers & Peripherals
2. Automotive
3. Telecommunications
4. Semiconductors
5. Pharmaceuticals
6. Medical Devices
7. Petroleum & Chemical Engineering
8. Domestic Appliances
9. Food Tobacco & Fermentation
10. Aerospace
11. Agrochemicals & Agriculture
12. Cosmetics

To measure patent activity, Thomson studied the first instance or invention for published patent applications and granted patents in 2010, counting each invention only once, in the country where protection was first sought.

Some noteworthy findings from the report:

• Aerospace patent activity increased by 25% overall from 2009 to 2010, driven by a 108% increase in Space Vehicle and Satellite Technologies, a sector within the Aerospace industry. The top three companies leading in this subsector were Japanese manufacturer Sharp, followed by Korean manufacturers LG and Samsung.

• Semiconductor patent activity decreased by 9% from 2009 to 2010 overall, driven by double-digit decreases in three Semiconductor subsectors: Integrated Circuits; Discrete Devices; and Memories, Film and Hybrid Circuits.

• Computers & Peripherals retained the leading position as the most innovative technology area in 2010 with the highest volume of patent activity: 212,622 unique inventions, despite a 6% decline in total volume from
2009.

• Automotive moved up to the second position in 2010 from fourth in 2009 based on overall volume of patent activity, surpassing the Telecommunications and Semiconductors industries.

To download a copy of the report (free registration required), click here (link).