A network analytic method for measuring patent thickets: A case of FCEV technology

Abstract

Patent thickets may hinder technology innovation by preventing manufacturers from access to given technology fields. How to prove the existence of patent thickets or how to hack through patent thickets in complex technology areas has attracted a great concern in academia since Shapiro (2000) put forward the theory of patent thickets. This needs a valid and simple method to measure patent thickets. The existing methods are hard to further explore who own complementary patents in patent thickets. The paper proposes a novel method of combining triad census and data-driven social role analysis to measure patent thickets. Taking fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) patents at the USPTO and EPO as examples, the paper demonstrates the proposed method is valid and feasible in practice. Both the density of patent thickets and key patent holders in patent thickets can be accurately detected. It can help downstream manufacturers to make a decision whether they should enter given technologies or who could be potential licensors in patent thickets. Researchers or company managers can use this method to measure patent thickets over time from a microscopic perspective.