As the LOT Network community grows, so does its ability to protect diverse technologies and industries. Now, with over 4,300 member companies, membership in LOT Network is more capable than ever of reducing the risk of PAE activity, helping its members mitigate concerns about costly litigation so they can focus on innovation.

Widening the Net: Key Areas of Growth

Recent analyses using Cipher’s Universal Technology Taxonomy revealed a significant increase in global and U.S. patents covering various information technologies under LOT Network. This expansion is driven by the rapid growth in LOT Network’s membership. LOT Network has welcomed significant new members, with many from previously underrepresented industries such as energy, semiconductors, and medical devices.

  • Social Media: With the growing importance of digital platforms in modern communication, social media technologies have become prime targets for PAEs. LOT Network’s expanded coverage to 33.6% globally and 48.5% in the U.S. reduces the risk of PAE activity in this space, helping members protect their businesses from litigation threats.
  • Storage: Data management and security are critical to today’s information-driven economy, making storage technologies increasingly vulnerable to PAE attacks. LOT Network’s protection, now covering 16.9% of global and 45.3% of U.S. patents, significantly mitigates the risk of PAE activity,
  • Speech Recognition: Voice-controlled interfaces are becoming ubiquitous, making companies that use them potential targets for PAEs. LOT Network’s members can innovate in this space with less concern about possible legal challenges by expanding coverage to include 22.2% of global patents and 42.4% of U.S. patents in speech recognition technologies.
  • Security: Cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses across industries but can also attract PAE attention. LOT Network’s coverage, now encompassing 21.3% of global and 39.8% of U.S. patents, provides crucial protection for members that rely on security technologies.
  • eCommerce: The rise of online retail has made eCommerce technologies a key area of PAE focus. LOT Network’s increased coverage to 19.3% globally and 39.6% in the U.S. diminishes the threat of PAE activity, helping members safeguard online commerce from potential lawsuits.
  • Machine Learning: As artificial intelligence transforms industries, the underlying tools and technologies may become “big ticket” targets for PAEs. LOT Network’s expanded coverage—now at 21.4% globally and 38.5% in the U.S.—reduces the risk of PAE activity, allowing members to benefit from AI advancements with reduced fear of legal entanglements.
  • User Interfaces (UI): Innovative user interface designs are critical to almost any company that engages with customers in the digital world, making them susceptible to PAE patent infringement claims. With coverage now at 24.9% globally and 38.4% in the U.S., LOT Network helps reduce the risk of PAE activity in this area.
  • Engineering Software: Engineering software tools are essential for designing the technologies of tomorrow, making companies that use them potential targets for PAEs. LOT Network’s expanded coverage to 20.9% globally and 34.5% in the U.S. mitigates the risk of PAE activity, ensuring members can develop and use these tools with greater peace of mind.
  • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR & VR): As AR and VR technologies become increasingly integral to industries ranging from heavy industry to retail, they are also becoming more attractive targets for PAEs. With coverage reaching 21.5% of global and 30.2% of U.S. patents, LOT Network reduces the risk of PAE activity in these cutting-edge fields.
  • Image Processing: Image processing’s wide-ranging applications—from medical imaging to entertainment—make it a significant target for PAEs. LOT Network’s coverage, now at 20.0% globally and 28.1% in the U.S., mitigates the risk of PAE activity, helping members protect their innovations in this critical area from litigation risks.
  • Streaming: As streaming services dominate digital content delivery, the underlying technologies are increasingly subject to PAE interest. LOT Network’s expanded coverage to 16.5% globally and 23.8% in the U.S. reduces the risk of PAE activity, ensuring that members can continue to innovate in streaming technologies without the constant threat of legal disputes.
  • Printing and 3D Printing: Traditional and 3D printing technologies are vital for many industries but are also vulnerable to PAE claims. With LOT Network’s coverage in traditional printing technologies now at 12.9% globally and 18.9% in the U.S., and in 3D printing at 5.8% globally and 8.8% in the U.S., the network helps reduce the risk of PAE activity in this evolving field.

Strategic Implications for Members

These expansions are not merely numerical increases; they represent a deliberate strategy by LOT Network to address challenges posed by PAEs in specific technologies. By broadening its coverage across established and emerging technologies and bringing in members from industries like semiconductors and energy, LOT Network is increasing the protection provided by the LOT Network agreement and the value of being part of the LOT Network community.