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
AI & Machine Learning
Low11
/ 100
HHI
146
Avg claims
24.1
CAGR
3.5%
Active filers
76
Expiry rate
2.9%
Total patents
208
- Moderate portfolio density and fragmented ownership
Software
Low9
/ 100
HHI
180
Avg claims
28.0
CAGR
-17.4%
Active filers
84
Expiry rate
4.6%
Total patents
412
- Declining filings (-17.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 28.0 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Consumer Electronics
Low8
/ 100
HHI
249
Avg claims
25.6
CAGR
-16.6%
Active filers
86
Expiry rate
3.9%
Total patents
559
- Declining filings (-16.6% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.6 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Telecommunications
Low8
/ 100
HHI
100
Avg claims
27.0
CAGR
-3.0%
Active filers
81
Expiry rate
5.9%
Total patents
354
- Declining filings (-3.0% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.0 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
E-Commerce
Low8
/ 100
HHI
388
Avg claims
27.2
CAGR
-13.4%
Active filers
12
Expiry rate
3.1%
Total patents
96
- Declining filings (-13.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.2 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Biotechnology
Low7
/ 100
HHI
195
Avg claims
23.6
CAGR
-24.4%
Active filers
23
Expiry rate
0.6%
Total patents
171
- Declining filings (-24.4% 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
297
Avg claims
23.5
CAGR
-59.2%
Active filers
25
Expiry rate
1.0%
Total patents
97
- Declining filings (-59.2% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Semiconductors
Low6
/ 100
HHI
150
Avg claims
25.3
CAGR
-42.3%
Active filers
31
Expiry rate
9.0%
Total patents
155
- Declining filings (-42.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.3 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.