FAQ

What is Normalization?Normalization is the process used in IPlytics to ensure comparability of patent indicators. Each indicator value is benchmarked against a control group of patents with the same patent office, technology classification (IPC/CPC), and publication year. How is Normalization calculated?For each patent, the indicator value is compared to the average value of similar patents tha...

What is Team Size (TE)?Team Size (TE) is an indicator that reflects the number of inventors listed on a patent. It provides insight into how many contributors were involved in the development of an invention. Finally, counts are normalized by year, country of jurisdiction and main IPC/CPC. How is Team Size interpreted? /High/A high TE value reflects that the patent portfolio was developed by...

What is Cooperation (CO)? Cooperation (CO) is an indicator that reflects the level of collaboration in a patent by counting the number of legally independent co-assignees associated with it. Subsidiaries and parent companies are excluded from this count. Finally, counts are normalized by year, country of jurisdiction and main IPC/CPC.   How is Cooperation interpreted? /High/A high CO value...

What is Patent Scope (SC)?Patent Scope (SC) is an indicator that reflects the technological breadth of a patent. It is determined by the number of distinct main IPC/CPC classes (at the 4-digit level) assigned to a patent by the examiner.  How is Patent Scope interpreted?High Patent Scope (SC)A high SC value indicates that a patent is classified across multiple technology classes. Reflects wide ...

What is Legal Breadth (LB)? Legal Breadth (LB) is an indicator that reflects the scope of legal protection of a patent. It is calculated based on the number of words in the shortest independent claim, where fewer words indicate broader protection. Adding more words to a patent claim decreases its scope of potential application andthus the legal breadth of a claim. Finally, counts are normaliz...

What is Radicalness (RA)?Radicalness (RA) is an indicator that reflects the degree of novelty of a patent. It is based on the number and nature of backward citations, taking into account how frequently the cited patents are themselves cited. How is Radicalness interpreted?The RA (Radicalness) indicator is calculated by counting the number of patent citations a patent has to cite as prior art (b...

What is Market Coverage (MC)?Market Coverage (MC) is an indicator that reflects the geographic reach of a patent. It is calculated based on the number of countries in which a patent is filed, weighted by the economic size of those countries (e.g. GDP). Finally, counts are normalized by year, country of jurisdiction and main IPC/CPC. How is Market Coverage interpreted? /High/ /Low/ A high MC...

What is Technical Relevance (TR)? Technical Relevance (TR) is an indicator that reflects the technological importance of a patent. It is calculated based on the number of prior art citations (forward citations) a patent receives from subsequent patents, adjusted for factors such as publication year, patent office practices, and technology classification (IPC/CPC). Self-citations as well as su...