2. Global analysis of your patent database

The analysis of your patent base involves a thorough examination of :

• the evolution of the field by year: if the number of patents is increasing, this indicates strong interest in the field;

• the dispersion of players (in this case, applicants): if there is a high degree of dispersion, with no major players (companies having filed a large number of patents), we can assume that there is room for development in the field. Otherwise, the "entry ticket" will be high;

• ratios of national patents (generally not extended) versus number of worldwide or European patents (PCT and WO, or European [EP]) ;

• list of priority countries (country of first patent filed) ;

• a list of the main applicant countries: this shows whether...