Patent Cliff · AI/ML
AI & Machine Learning patent cliff
Foundational AI patents from the 2000s and early 2010s — many from IBM, Google, and Microsoft — are now entering the public domain, freeing key algorithmic methods.
Expiring 2025–2029
6
Citations at stake
224
Peak cliff year
2025
Already expired
6
Patents Expiring by Year (2025–2029)
2025
2
2026
0
2027
1
2028
1
2029
2
Most-Cited AI/ML Patents Expiring 2025–2029
How Touchscreens Handle Scrolling and Rubber-Band Effects
132
cit.
Predicting User Interests Based on Who Looks at Whose Profile
73
cit.
How Nanoparticles Form Adaptive Neural Network Connections
12
cit.
How Graphics Processors Switch Between Different Tasks Efficiently
6
cit.
How Computers Calculate Probabilities in Large Knowledge Bases
1
cit.
Year-by-Year Top Patents
2025
2 patentsStrategic context
Foundational AI patents from the 2000s and early 2010s — many from IBM, Google, and Microsoft — are now entering the public domain, freeing key algorithmic methods. As these patents expire, competitors and open-source projects can freely implement the underlying inventions without license fees. For FTO analysis on specific products, use the FTO Risk Snapshot tool →
Other domain cliffs