Patents opposed
The number of opposed patents reached a new high in 2016, though
the year-on-year increase was not very large (ca. 3% more than
2015).
It is notable that a marked increase in grants in the second
half of 2015 was followed by a dramatically increased number of
patents granted in 2016. It seems likely that an increased level of
grants will be maintained at least into the first half of 2017, as
illustrated in graphic one, below.
Whether increased levels of grants are a passing aberration or a
sustainable trend is yet to be seen.
An increase in patent grants could be expected to mean that more
patents will be opposed.
Graphic two, below, might indicate signs of significantly
increased numbers of patents opposed at the end of 2016 and the
beginning of 2017 (the number given for patents opposed in February
2017 may not yet be finalized).
