Patent portfolio analysis using citation categories

This paper presents a method of using citation categories as a patent value determinant. The method is used to analyze the patent portfolios of players in the European wind power market. Patent data for the case firms is obtained from European Patent Office´s (EPO) worldwide PATSTAT database. Measure of hindrance and measure of encroachment are defined as a way of assessing competitor patent portfolios. The results can help technology managers assess the competitiveness of their patent portfolios. It can help investors predict technology leadership in an uncertain environment of emerging industries.