Patent landscape is a set of patent research results designed to obtain a complete and objective picture of the technological state of the industry being studied through statistical processing of the data obtained and their visualization in the form of graphs, diagrams, charts, which allows one to assess the prospects for new technological solutions of various market participants and understand the dynamics of its changes over time. In other words, the patent landscape is the result of patent research in a certain technological direction visualized in the form of graphs, diagrams or diagrams and shows the prospects for its development and the activity of participants.
For a full analysis, experts study all the data on available patents in patent databases and applied patents, research projects of companies/institutes, which can help to find out the general level of development of the field under study, understand which companies patent their developments in it, available available technologies, the level of patent activity by country, and also outline possible promising areas of their application.
Two types of patent landscapes can be distinguished:
• Industry - for the purpose of detailed study of developed and existing technologies in the industry being studied, patent attorneys, specialized technical experts and business analysts are involved;
• Express option - a general analysis is carried out using standard techniques.
After the work is completed, the customer is provided not only with a detailed report with visualization of the results, but also with conclusions and recommendations attached. Thanks to carefully conducted research, detailed results presented and recommendations made based on them, the customer can understand where it is more profitable to invest and how to develop the business.
Researching the patent landscape allows interested parties to assess the technological situation in the industry being studied, track competitive activity, identify current trends, as well as discover and use niches available for business development and understand with whom it is worth competing and with whom it is necessary to potentially cooperate. Studying the patent landscape helps a business avoid mistakes that could cost it the loss of market share, revenue, and helps in making strategic decisions.
Defining niches allows you to identify areas of minimal competition, and studying the market activity of competitors ̶ understand their activity in the patent field and the area where they patent and plan to expand their business.
It should be noted that patent analysis is useful not only for expanding business and choosing partners, but also for making investment decisions. For example, it can be used to identify more promising areas of research where more resources should be invested.
By examining the patent landscape, it is possible to identify companies that could become potential partners and thereby help accelerate the development and introduction of a new product to market.
The patent landscape can help analyze the patent portfolios of other companies if they are planning to acquire them and determine which ones will be beneficial for strengthening intellectual property.
The patent landscape allows:
- avoid patent disputes and litigation, since the company can identify potential violations of the patents of other companies in advance, and therefore avoid violating the rights of others;
- identify and evaluate active players in the market, avoid duplication of research in the chosen area and prepare in advance for the possible emergence of competitors in your niche;
- identify areas in which it is important to protect your developments in a timely manner.
Thus, creating a patent landscape requires the participation of highly qualified specialists, since it is a strategically important analytical tool that allows companies to navigate the industry under study, develop it, strengthen their patent position in the market, avoid litigation and understand which promising areas to invest in to strengthen their position in the market.
It can also help analyze patent activity in a company's technology area of interest, identify areas of low competition, and avoid unnecessary risks associated with patent infringement.
