Innovation Hot Spots: Thomson Reuters Analysis of World Patent Activity Identifies...

Innovation Hot Spots: Thomson Reuters Analysis of World Patent Activity
Identifies Technology Areas Showing Sharpest Growth

Global Intellectual Property Analysis Finds Areas of Biofuels,
Telecommunication and Nanotechnology Show Strong R&D Growth Through Q109

PHILADELPHIA, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Biofuels based on algae are among the
hottest areas of R&D in the global intellectual property marketplace,
according to an analysis of world patent activity published today by the IP
Solutions business of Thomson Reuters. The research paper, Innovation Hot
Spots: Mining Patent Data for Tomorrow's Breakthroughs, tracks unique
inventions published in patent applications and granted patents from 2003,
2008 and 2009 to identify technology areas showing the sharpest growth over
the last five years.

Focused within the fields of biofuels, telecom and bio-related nanotechnology
-- areas that have been identified by Thomson Reuters analysts as hotbeds of
inventive activity over the last five years -- researchers found that the
three areas showing the biggest increases in patenting activity are the
following:

-- Biofuels Based on Algae: Patenting activity in the field of
algae-based
biofuels -- third generation biofuels which produce a negligible
impact
on the human food chain -- increased significantly from 2003 to 2009.
-- Cell Phone Data/Wireless Network Roaming: Patenting activity in the
field of cellular/wireless network roaming has increased 520% from
2003-2009, with 26,415 unique inventions published in the most recent
period.

-- Lab-on-a-Chip Nanotechnology: Patenting activity in the field of
lab-on-a-chip nanotechnology, which brings together the worlds of
genetic engineering and nanotechnology, grew 220% between 2003 and
2009,
reaching a total of 1,682 unique inventions in the most recent period.

In addition to tracking the growth of patenting activity in each field, the
analysis also identifies the companies who are most active in these spaces and
the countries in which they are seeking patent protection.

The data in this report was compiled using the Thomson Reuters Derwent World
Patents Index (DWPI) database.

To view the full report, please click here:
http://ip.thomsonreuters.com/media/pdfs/InnovationHotSpots_June2009.pdf

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SOURCE Thomson Reuters

John Roderick, Principal, J. Roderick Inc., +1-631-656-9736,
john@jroderick.com; or Laura Gaze, Senior Marketing Manager, IP Solutions,
+1-203-868-3340, laura.gaze@thomsonreuters.com