China dominates surge in drone patents
Granted drone patents rise by nearly 40% in 2021 | US lagging behind China | Drone patents increase three-fold in five years.
Nearly 5,000 patents for drone technology were granted across the world in 2021—a year-on year increase of 39%,according to new research by European IP law firm Mathys & Squire.
The figure is up from 3,511 in the previous year and has increased three-fold from just 446 patents five years ago.
China is the biggest player in the drone market, with 67% (3,262) of patents granted last year going to Chinese entities, while the US, China’s nearest rival for drone patents, garnered only 15% of the global total, at 751.
A look at 2021’s patented drone technology reflects many of the global challenges facing populations and businesses—from systems for measuring atmospheric pollution, oil pollution and water quality, to safety monitoring for oil and gas pipelines.
Untapped potential
One patented aerial system dispenses masks during pandemics, while another serves as an early warning system for forest fires. One drone even pollinates strawberries.
The research illustrates a trend over the last decade, with drone patents skyrocketing from a mere 145 in 2012 to the current numbers.
But there is far more untapped potential, according to Mathys & Squire partner Andrew White.
“Drones are increasingly becoming part of everyday life, yet the strong growth in new patents suggests their full potential is still to be realised,” he said.
Hotly contested IP
“Drones are set to play a major role in the global economy in the 21st century. IP in this area is extremely valuable and therefore likely to be hotly contested in the coming years.
Companies are spending considerable sums on drone research and will want that investment to be protected with patents,” added White.
Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, are no longer confined to the military—though this remains a significant and burgeoning segment for the technology.
As new opportunities emerge and develop, the commercial drone market could be worth $ 47 billion by the end of this decade, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox.
Today’s top stories
AIPPI: The metaverse, NFTs, blockchain
USITC to probe audio device maker after tech giant’s complaints
