Thermal processes 33 189 21.4% and apparatus Engines, pumps, 21 110 20.2% turbines Other special 31 159 19.9% machines IT methods for 7 35 19.1% management Analysis of 4 18 19.0% biological materials Civil engineering 36 166 18.6% Organic fine 23 107 18.5% chemistry Basic materials 23 90 16.6% chemistry Transport 35 135 16.4% Furniture, games 74 287 16.3% Other consumer 52 199 16.2% goods Medical technology 37 134 15.4% Food chemistry 6 21 15.0% Pharmaceuticals 40 135 14.3% Environmental 13 40 13.5% technology Macromolecular 28 58 8.4% chemistry, polymers Biotechnology 34 69 8.2% Source: WIPO IP Statistics Database. Patent data can be broadly categorized as complex or discrete technologies. Complex technologies are usually defined as those for which the resulting products or processes consist of numerous separately patentable elements and for which patent ownership is typically widespread. Discrete technologies, in turn, describe products or processes that consist of a single or relatively few patentable elements and for which patent ownership is more concentrated. For example, smartphones fall into the category of complex technologies, whereas pharmaceuticals are considered a discrete technology. The share of technology fields among all foreign-oriented patent families by Chinese “complex” residents has been growing between 1970-2009 making up a 75%-share of total patents abroad on average per annum since 2000 (see Figure 3.11). To the contrary, the share of “discrete” technologies has been shrinking. Figure 3.11. Distribution discrete versus complex technology fields, 1970-2009 Source: WIPO IP Statistics Database. The top ten technology fields of patents abroad vary according to the type of Chinese applicants (see Figures 3.12 3.15). For companies, communication”, – “Digital “Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy”, and technology” are the most important technology “Computer fields in terms of volumes between 2005 and 2009 (see Figure 3.12). This is not surprising given that these are now the fastest-growing technology fields with Chinese companies competing with foreign companies (see Section 4 for the discussion on top patent applicants of Chinese origin). In terms of volume, and with a 25% cumulative share between 2005 and 2009,
Thermal processes and apparatus 33 189 21.4% Engines, pumps, turbines 21 110 20.2% Other special machines 31 159 19.9% IT methods for management 7 35 19.1% Analysis of biological materials 4 18 19.0% Civil engineering 36 166 18.6% Organic fine chemistry 23 107 18.5% Basic materials chemistry 23 90 16.6% Transport 35 135 16.4% Furniture, games 74 287 16.3% Other consumer goods 52 199 16.2% Medical technology 37 134 15.4% Food chemistry 6 21 15.0% Pharmaceuticals 40 135 14.3% Environmental technology 13 40 13.5% Macromolecular chemistry, polymers 28 58 8.4% Biotechnology 34 69 8.2% Source: WIPO IP Statistics Database. Patent data can be broadly categorized as complex or discrete technologies. Complex technologies are usually defined as those for which the resulting products or processes consist of numerous separately patentable elements and for which patent ownership is typically widespread. Discrete technologies, in turn, describe products or processes that consist of a single or relatively few patentable elements and for which patent ownership is more concentrated. For example, smartphones fall into the category of complex technologies, whereas pharmaceuticals are considered a discrete technology. The share of “complex” technology fields among all foreign-oriented patent families by Chinese residents has been growing between 1970-2009 making up a 75%-share of total patents abroad on average per annum since 2000 (see Figure 3.11). To the contrary, the share of “discrete” technologies has been shrinking. Figure 3.11. Distribution discrete versus complex technology fields, 1970-2009 Source: WIPO IP Statistics Database. The top ten technology fields of patents abroad vary according to the type of Chinese applicants (see Figures 3.12 – 3.15). For companies, “Digital communication”, “Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy”, and “Computer technology” are the most important technology fields in terms of volumes between 2005 and 2009 (see Figure 3.12). This is not surprising given that these are now the fastest-growing technology fields with Chinese companies competing with foreign companies (see Section 4 for the discussion on top patent applicants of Chinese origin). In terms of volume, and with a 25% cumulative share between 2005 and 2009,
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