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
Gene Editing
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)
Gene Editing
Low12
/ 100
HHI
930
Avg claims
31.2
CAGR
0.0%
Active filers
5
Expiry rate
0.0%
Total patents
21
- Broad claim scope (avg 31.2 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Software
Low9
/ 100
HHI
199
Avg claims
28.3
CAGR
-33.3%
Active filers
72
Expiry rate
5.0%
Total patents
383
- Declining filings (-33.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 28.3 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Consumer Electronics
Low8
/ 100
HHI
262
Avg claims
25.7
CAGR
-27.6%
Active filers
81
Expiry rate
4.1%
Total patents
538
- Declining filings (-27.6% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Telecommunications
Low8
/ 100
HHI
107
Avg claims
27.3
CAGR
-16.8%
Active filers
68
Expiry rate
6.5%
Total patents
325
- Declining filings (-16.8% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.3 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
E-Commerce
Low8
/ 100
HHI
416
Avg claims
27.4
CAGR
-18.4%
Active filers
9
Expiry rate
3.3%
Total patents
92
- Declining filings (-18.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.4 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
AI & Machine Learning
Low7
/ 100
HHI
164
Avg claims
24.2
CAGR
-10.6%
Active filers
63
Expiry rate
3.3%
Total patents
181
- Declining filings (-10.6% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Biotechnology
Low7
/ 100
HHI
197
Avg claims
23.6
CAGR
-18.4%
Active filers
22
Expiry rate
0.6%
Total patents
170
- Declining filings (-18.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Pharmaceuticals
Low7
/ 100
HHI
238
Avg claims
23.7
CAGR
-22.5%
Active filers
14
Expiry rate
0.8%
Total patents
124
- Declining filings (-22.5% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Mechanical Engineering
Low7
/ 100
HHI
562
Avg claims
19.2
CAGR
-34.5%
Active filers
52
Expiry rate
1.9%
Total patents
317
- Declining filings (-34.5% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Automotive
Low7
/ 100
HHI
307
Avg claims
23.4
CAGR
-55.3%
Active filers
24
Expiry rate
1.1%
Total patents
95
- Declining filings (-55.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Semiconductors
Low6
/ 100
HHI
155
Avg claims
25.4
CAGR
-42.3%
Active filers
30
Expiry rate
9.2%
Total patents
152
- Declining filings (-42.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.4 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Clean Energy
Low5
/ 100
HHI
431
Avg claims
20.5
CAGR
-42.3%
Active filers
20
Expiry rate
10.8%
Total patents
83
- Declining filings (-42.3% 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.