IBM Keeps Top Patent Spot for 19th Year as Asian Rivals Gain
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International Business Machines Corp. won a record number of U.S. patents in 2011, its 19th straight year on top, as some Asian competitors advanced in the rankings at the expense of Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp.
IBM, the world’s biggest computer-services provider, gained 6,180 patents last year, researcher IFI Claims Patent Services said in a statement. Samsung Electronics Co. was second, its growth outpacing IBM, and Canon Inc. replaced Microsoft as third. Panasonic Corp. moved up to No. 4 and Toshiba Corp. advanced to fifth spot.