Chapter: 6 Science & Engineering Indicators 93

Patented genetic engineering inventions developed in Western Europe and the United States appear to be the most commercially valuable based upon this measure. This indicator identified patented inventions originating in West Germany as having the highest commercial potential based on comparison of the mean size of international patent families for this technology. (See text table 6-9.) West German international patents have, on average, sought patent protection in 15 countries; French and British origin international patents have sought patent protection in 13 countries. Patented genetic engineering inventions originating in the United States rank fourth in perceived commercial exploitation potential. Inventions originating in Japan, South Korea, and East Germany trailed the United States based on this measure.

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