The data shows a striking trend toward standardization in patent claims, with the median and mean consistently hovering around 16-17 claims per patent, indicating a shift in drafting practices.
A significant finding is the reduction of variance in claims; with a standard deviation today of about 7 claims, down from roughly 15 claims in the mid-2000s, suggesting a narrowing in patent drafting strategies.
The rise in median claim count from 7 in the 1980s to 17 today highlights an evolution in the complexity and thoroughness of patents, though mean growth has been more gradual in recent years.
Factors such as USPTO fee structures and the professionalization of patent prosecution have likely influenced these trends, discouraging excessively large claims and promoting a more standardized approach to patent drafting.
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