It is difficult to determine which patent has earned the most since there are thousands of patents covering a wide range of products and technologies. Additionally, the value of a patent may not always be tied to its monetary earnings. A patent may also have value as a defensive tool, as a means to attract investors, or as a way to establish a company’s reputation as a leader in a particular field.
However, some of the most lucrative patents in recent years have been in the technology sector. For example, the patent covering the MPEG-2 video compression standard generated billions of dollars in licensing revenue for its owner, and the patent covering the iPhone’s touchscreen technology has earned Apple billions of dollars in revenue.
It’s important to note that patent earnings can vary widely depending on factors such as the market demand for the product or technology, licensing agreements, and the level of competition in the market. Ultimately, the value of a patent depends on a complex set of factors that are unique to each individual patent.