The First Quality Index for Latin American Patents

Strong technology portfolios help businesses to generate a competitive advantage with their products or services. For these businesses to remain competitive, it can be essential to understand the quality of their patents. Furthermore, quality of patents at the national level can be crucial for evaluating the technological development of Science, Technology, and Innovation Systems.

Until now, developing countries -such as those in Latin America- have placed more emphasis on quantity than quality. Consequently, regardless of their scientific aspects, their public policies typically are aimed at increasing the quantity of patented inventions. However, the total number of registered patents cannot accurately reflect the value that patents actually add to their innovation systems. To help narrow this gap in Latin America, the first Quality Index for Patents has been published.

The Index is created based on seventeen countries in the region and a 20-year timespan (1997 - 2016). The findings demonstrate that for most of the years calculated Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Panama, and Cuba have held the top spots in the rankings.

The more detailed analysis can be found here.