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
E-Commerce
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)
E-Commerce
Medium33
/ 100
HHI
434
Avg claims
27.7
CAGR
41.4%
Active filers
8
Expiry rate
3.4%
Total patents
88
- Rapid filing growth (41.4% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
- Broad claim scope (avg 27.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Biotechnology
Medium32
/ 100
HHI
233
Avg claims
23.9
CAGR
41.4%
Active filers
9
Expiry rate
0.7%
Total patents
139
- Rapid filing growth (41.4% CAGR): active portfolio expansion
Gene Editing
Low13
/ 100
HHI
1074
Avg claims
33.7
CAGR
0.0%
Active filers
2
Expiry rate
0.0%
Total patents
11
- Broad claim scope (avg 33.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Consumer Electronics
Low9
/ 100
HHI
333
Avg claims
26.5
CAGR
-22.5%
Active filers
57
Expiry rate
3.4%
Total patents
468
- Declining filings (-22.5% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 26.5 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Software
Low9
/ 100
HHI
278
Avg claims
29.7
CAGR
-16.3%
Active filers
48
Expiry rate
4.7%
Total patents
317
- Declining filings (-16.3% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 29.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Automotive
Low9
/ 100
HHI
524
Avg claims
25.7
CAGR
-100.0%
Active filers
12
Expiry rate
0.0%
Total patents
61
- Declining filings (-100.0% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 25.7 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Telecommunications
Low8
/ 100
HHI
151
Avg claims
29.1
CAGR
-6.5%
Active filers
46
Expiry rate
5.1%
Total patents
253
- Declining filings (-6.5% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 29.1 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
AI & Machine Learning
Low7
/ 100
HHI
193
Avg claims
24.5
CAGR
-13.4%
Active filers
50
Expiry rate
3.7%
Total patents
163
- Declining filings (-13.4% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Semiconductors
Low7
/ 100
HHI
207
Avg claims
26.8
CAGR
-62.2%
Active filers
18
Expiry rate
5.4%
Total patents
112
- Declining filings (-62.2% CAGR): portfolio contraction
- Broad claim scope (avg 26.8 claims/patent): high design-around difficulty
Pharmaceuticals
Low7
/ 100
HHI
286
Avg claims
24.0
CAGR
0.0%
Active filers
4
Expiry rate
1.0%
Total patents
102
- Moderate portfolio density and fragmented ownership
Mechanical Engineering
Low7
/ 100
HHI
662
Avg claims
18.7
CAGR
-20.9%
Active filers
38
Expiry rate
0.7%
Total patents
287
- Declining filings (-20.9% CAGR): portfolio contraction
Clean Energy
Low7
/ 100
HHI
775
Avg claims
21.1
CAGR
-29.3%
Active filers
9
Expiry rate
2.2%
Total patents
45
- Declining filings (-29.3% 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.