Research shows rise in patent filings for satellite systems

Based on the company’s analysis of the incidence of international patent filings relating to global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), the number of applications rose from 462 in 2004 to 961 in 2009.

According to Withers & Rogers, this is likely, in part, owing to companies filing multiple applications referring to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) and alternative systems including the EU’s Galileo and the Russian GLONASS network.

‘This research confirms that R&D [research and development] activity in this field is thriving and has never been stronger,’ said Nick Wallin, patent attorney at Withers & Rogers. ‘This is largely due to the gradual emergence of GPS alternatives, such as Galileo, which has secured significant political support in Europe and is expected to start operating in 2014. This is leading to an innovation race as engineers seek to commercialise applications of the newly available technology.

‘However, it is still very early days. The number of patents filed that refer to Galileo still trails the number that refer to GPS, but the gap is beginning to close.’