Along with national policies and industry trends, the number of nanotechnology-related patents issued is also an important indication of the status of nanotechnology development around the world. Let's take a look at nanotech-related patents issued in Japan, the United States, Europe and under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The total number of Japanese, U.S., European and PCT nanotech-related patents issued up to November 2003 was 8,575. The United States accounted for about half of those, and Japan represented about a quarter. European patents numbered less than half that of Japan. However, Europe is gearing up to compete fiercely with the United States and Japan in next-generation nanotechnology development.