Computer-Related Inventions Lead in Patent Activity According to Thomson Reuters 2009 Innovation Report

Global Intellectual Property Analysis Finds Most Prolific Patenting in Computers & Peripherals, Semiconductors, Telecommunications, Automotive and Pharmaceutical Industries

EAGAN, Minnesota, January 7 - Innovation activity amidst the Great Recession of 2009 was robust across
major industries and technology areas, according to an analysis of world
patent activity published by the IP Solutions business of Thomson Reuters.

The new study, 2009 Innovation Report: Twelve Key Industries and Their
States of Innovation, tracks unique inventions in granted patents and
published applications within aerospace, agrochemicals & agriculture,
automotive, computers & peripherals, cosmetics, domestic appliances, food,
tobacco & fermentation, medical devices, petroleum & chemical engineering,
pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and telecommunications.

    Key findings include:

    -- Computers & Peripherals lead with 226,293 inventions in '09: With more
       than double the number of patents filed in any of the other technology
       areas studied, the Computers & Peripherals industry saw a great deal
       of innovation coming from computer manufacturers, peripherals makers
       and smart media developers.

    -- Mobile phones continue to drive new innovation: Within the broad
       telecommunication technology area, mobile telephony is the leader in
       new patent activity, with 44,714 records in this category in 2009.

    -- Alternative power heats up auto industry: Alternative power has become
       the biggest source of patent activity in the automotive industry,
       surpassing perennial leaders such as engine design, braking systems
       and safety in 2009.

The data in this report was compiled using the Thomson Reuters Derwent
World Patents Index (DWPI) database. Patent activity is used as a benchmark
for innovation. The research aggregates granted patents and published
applications (examined and unexamined) from Jan. 1 through Dec. 11, 2009.

To view the full report, 2009 Innovation Report: Twelve Key Industries
and Their States of Innovation, and see additional methodology details, go to
ip.thomsonreuters.com/info/InnovRep/index.html.

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Laura Gaze, IP Solutions, +1-203-868-3340, laura.gaze at thomsonreuters.com; or John Roderick, J. Roderick Inc., +1-631-656-9736, john at jroderick.com