Splenda is a sucralose-based artificial sweetener marketed initially in North America. Since its United States introduction in 1999, sucralose has overtaken Equal in the $1.5 billion artificial sweetener market, holding a 62% market share. According to market research firm IRI, as reported in the Wall Street Journal, Splenda sold $212 million in 2006 in the U.S. while Equal sold $48.7 million. Its patent is owned by the British company Tate & Lyle.