The number of small-shop innovators continues to dwindle. In a sample
of recently issued patents,* only 20% claim “small entity” status. Of
those, 30% (6% of the total) are held by the original inventors.**
According to the PTO Rules, large universities and non-profits still
qualify as for the small entity price-break so long as the
patents-in-question have not be assigned or licensed to a non-qualifying
entity. At least 12% of the small entity patents are assigned to
universities or non-profits. These small entities include
multi-billion-dollar operations including Battelle Energy Alliance,
California Institute of Technology, Princeton University, and the Korean
government funded ETSI. The remaining small entity patents are
largely held by companies and partnerships such as Audible
Magic, PixArt
Imaging, and Alverix.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Patenting by Small-Entities - Patent Law Blog (Patently-O)
Author: PatentlyO
