Mapping Patent Classifications: Portfolio and Statistical Analysis, and the Comparison of Strengths and Weaknesses

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the new CPC patent classification maps, highlighting their differences from previous versions, and introduces tools for portfolio analysis, including difference maps, to enhance patent portfolio management.

Contribution

It presents updated CPC maps, discusses their statistical properties, and introduces new analytical tools for patent portfolio comparison and analysis.

Findings

New CPC maps differ significantly from previous versions.

The paper introduces a routine for portfolio overlays and statistical analysis.

A new 'difference map' tool effectively compares patent portfolios.

Abstract

The Cooperative Patent Classifications (CPC) jointly developed by the European and US Patent Offices provide a new basis for mapping and portfolio analysis. This update provides an occasion for rethinking the parameter choices. The new maps are significantly different from previous ones, although this may not always be obvious on visual inspection. Since these maps are statistical constructs based on index terms, their quality--as different from utility--can only be controlled discursively. We provide nested maps online and a routine for portfolio overlays and further statistical analysis. We add a new tool for "difference maps" which is illustrated by comparing the portfolios of patents granted to Novartis and MSD in 2016.