April 22, 2005 — A new patent report found that the nanotechnology sector is riddled with overlapping claims.

The report found that the so-called building blocks of nanotechnology, like carbon nanotubes and quantum dots, have been a particular focus of companies building up a hoard of nano patents. It concluded that quantum dot claims, in particular, overlap and that carbon nanotube patents overlap more in electronics than in other areas.

The reports authors reviewed 1,084 U.S. patents relating to dendrimers, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and nanowires. The report, “The Nanotech Intellectual Property Landscape,” by Lux Research, was prepared in partnership with patent attorneys in the nanotechnology practice at Foley & Lardner LLP, a law firm active in nanotechnology.