IBM notches highest number of US patents for 17th year running

IBM has said that it received 4,914 US patents in 2009, marking the 17th consecutive year that it has topped the list of the world's most inventive companies. The company, for the first time, said it would offer its invention know-how and patent portfolio management software to clients seeking to enhance their intellectual property (IP) management capabilities in support of innovation-based growth strategies.

IBM's 2009 patent total nearly quadrupled Hewlett-Packard's and exceeded the combined issuances of Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Oracle, Apple, Accenture and Google.

2009 U.S. Patent Leaders*          

1. IBM - 4914
2. Samsung - 3611
3. Microsoft - 2906
4. Canon - 2206
5. Panasonic - 1829
6. Toshiba - 1696
7. Sony - 1680
8. Intel - 1537
9. Seiko Epson - 1330
10. HP - 1273

*According to data provided by IFI Patent Intelligence

Additionally, IBM published almost 4,000 technical inventions in 2009 instead of seeking patent protection, thereby making the inventions freely available to others. IBM said it released these inventions through publication as part of its commitment to improving patent quality. These inventions are freely available in a public database of prior art and can be cited by patent offices in limiting the scope of patent applications, the company said in a statement.

IBM's patent and IP experts have developed and used the patent management software for over a decade to help analyze, assess and effectively administer its portfolio of more than 30,000 US patents. The patent management software, coupled with the company's experience, has enabled IBM to balance its patent and intellectual property strategy with its business needs and generate new ways to derive more value from patents.

"We are making our IP know-how and patent management software available because clients have increasingly approached IBM for insight into how to effectively establish and manage their own patent and IP portfolios," said Kevin Reardon, general manager of Intellectual Property and vice president of Research Business Development for IBM. "This approach is consistent with our commitment to working with others to encourage an environment of collaboration and cooperation in the patent and intellectual property arena."

Under the patent and IP management offering, IBM will provide clients with know-how to help them plan, create and leverage their established or emerging IP portfolios; the guidance will not include legal advice. IBM's know-how can help clients assess an IP infrastructure, identify high potential invention opportunity areas, and build an intellectual property portfolio. IBM also will teach clients about developing and implementing a strategic planning framework, harvesting intellectual property, and establishing culture of innovation. To help clients learn how to leverage their IP, IBM will offer insight on licensing, establishing best-of-breed patent management practices, and ways to help expand market opportunities.