Innovative Timing Systems has been the long-time leader in the Event subcategory of the Sports Analytics Patent Forecast®; however, its lead isn’t going to hold unless it starts to pick up the pace. Over the past four years, Innovative Timing Systems has shown rather consistent levels of patent activity with a stout devotion to the events subcategory. This consistency looks to be dwindling in 2020, only being granted one (1) patent and having two (2) applications published in 2020. While Innovative Timing Systems has developed a fairly strong portfolio, this lack of activity is opening up white space which its competitors might use to gain a competitive edge. 

One such competitor is Swiss Timing, and its recent activity shows that it’s well on its way to capitalizing.  Since the beginning of 2020, Swiss Timing has been granted five (5) patents in the Events subcategory. This is a significant increase from its success in previous years, being granted only six (6) patents from the beginning of 2015 to the end of 2019. Aside from this increase in patent activity, Swiss Timing looks to be making other changes to its business and patenting strategy. Recently, the company has expanded its focus outside of typical timing applications, such as races, to host a wider range of solutions, such as the one disclosed toward trampolining discussed in a previous insight, but still a significant amount of the two companies’ portfolios overlap.

Only time will tell if this shift will have any significant effects considering Innovative Timing Systems still has a commanding lead in the sector, but if things continue as in the direction they are headed, changes in the timing market may be imminent. Stay updated on the ever-changing Sports Analytics sector by getting our Patent Forecast® for Sports Analytics.