Patent Intelligence · FTO Risk Index
Freedom-to-operate risk index
Which technology domains are hardest to build in without patent risk? A synthesized FTO score across 12 domains — combining concentration, filing velocity, claim breadth, and active competition.
Highest FTO risk
Automotive
Lowest FTO risk
Clean Energy
Concentration (HHI)
30%How much of the domain is controlled by a few players. High concentration = few avoidance options.
Filing velocity (CAGR)
25%3-year compound annual growth of filings. Fast growth = more blocking patents incoming.
Claim breadth
20%Average claims per patent. More claims = broader coverage = harder to design around.
Active filers
15%Distinct entities filing in the last 5 years. More players = more litigation vectors.
Expiry relief
−10%Fraction expiring 2025–2029. Higher expiry = more public-domain breathing room.
FTO Risk by Domain (highest to lowest)
Automotive
Low25
/ 100
HHI
219
Avg claims
22.0
CAGR
22.5%
Active filers
36
Expiry rate
1.4%
Total patents
144
- Rapid filing growth (22.5% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
Software
Low18
/ 100
HHI
144
Avg claims
26.9
CAGR
10.9%
Active filers
111
Expiry rate
3.5%
Total patents
570
- Rapid filing growth (10.9% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
- Broad claim scope (avg 26.9 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Telecommunications
Low18
/ 100
HHI
89
Avg claims
25.7
CAGR
11.8%
Active filers
110
Expiry rate
4.7%
Total patents
530
- Rapid filing growth (11.8% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
AI & Machine Learning
Low17
/ 100
HHI
123
Avg claims
24.0
CAGR
11.4%
Active filers
94
Expiry rate
2.2%
Total patents
270
- Rapid filing growth (11.4% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
Consumer Electronics
Low16
/ 100
HHI
210
Avg claims
25.0
CAGR
8.2%
Active filers
113
Expiry rate
3.3%
Total patents
734
- Moderate portfolio density and fragmented ownership
E-Commerce
Low16
/ 100
HHI
375
Avg claims
27.1
CAGR
9.5%
Active filers
14
Expiry rate
2.9%
Total patents
105
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.1 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Gene Editing
Low11
/ 100
HHI
822
Avg claims
28.5
CAGR
-18.4%
Active filers
11
Expiry rate
0.0%
Total patents
41
- Declining filings (-18.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 28.5 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Mechanical Engineering
Low9
/ 100
HHI
522
Avg claims
19.4
CAGR
2.9%
Active filers
58
Expiry rate
1.9%
Total patents
369
- Moderate portfolio density and fragmented ownership
Biotechnology
Low7
/ 100
HHI
162
Avg claims
23.1
CAGR
-12.1%
Active filers
40
Expiry rate
0.7%
Total patents
285
- Declining filings (-12.1% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Pharmaceuticals
Low7
/ 100
HHI
191
Avg claims
23.1
CAGR
-29.3%
Active filers
28
Expiry rate
1.0%
Total patents
194
- Declining filings (-29.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Semiconductors
Low6
/ 100
HHI
127
Avg claims
24.4
CAGR
-3.4%
Active filers
44
Expiry rate
7.7%
Total patents
222
- Declining filings (-3.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Clean Energy
Low4
/ 100
HHI
279
Avg claims
19.9
CAGR
-33.3%
Active filers
31
Expiry rate
9.8%
Total patents
123
- Declining filings (-33.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Limitations & Legal Disclaimer
This FTO Risk Index is derived from public patent data and statistical metrics only. It is NOT a legal opinion and does NOT constitute Freedom-to-Operate clearance. A proper FTO analysis requires a licensed patent attorney reviewing specific claims against your specific product. The score is a comparative landscape signal — useful for domain-level strategic prioritization, not product-level clearance. Scores change as the patent landscape evolves; cached daily.