More than 16,700 nanotechnology related U.S. Patents have been granted as of the end of 2008. By September 1st 2009, 3100 more nanotechnology related patents had been issued, more than any other year in just nine months and more than all the nanotechnology patents granted in 1999 and the years prior (2890 total patents). More than 38,600 U.S. Patent Applications related to nanotechnology were waiting for approval as of September 1, 2009.
The table “U.S. Nanotechnology Patents by Year 1999 & Prior through 2008” lists the number of patents granted each year since 1999 through September 1, 2009. The number of patents has increased each year and is expected to continue at the rate of more of 3500 to 4000 new patents a year for the next few years.
U.S. Nanotechnology Patents by Year 1999 & Prior through Sept. 2009
1999 2890 (and year prior)
2000 578
2001 734
2002 943
2003 1177
2004 1539
2005 1556
2006 1500
2007 2763
2008 3044
Total 16724 (1999 and prior through December 31,2008)
2009 3141 (Jan. 1, 2009 to Sept. 1, 2009)
Total 19,865 <1999 and prior to Sept. 1, 2009
2009 38,600+ U.S.Nanotechnology Pending Patent Applications
Figure U.S. Nanotechnology Patents 1999-2008
Source: Alton Parrish and Innovative Research and Products Inc.
