IBM sets new US patent record
IBM amassed more US patents than any other company in 2013, marking the 21st consecutive year the company has topped the annual patent list.
Nearly 7,000 US patents were awarded to IBM inventors last year, in areas including cloud computing, big data, cognitive systems and analytics.
"We take pride in being recognised as the US patent leader, but patents are only one gauge of innovation," said Bernie Meyerson, IBM fellow and vp of innovation. "Equally significant is the impact that our patented inventions have when they are used to enable solutions that help clients and societies solve problems."
Closely behind IBM on the list was Samsung, which was awarded 4,676 patents in 2013.
Microsoft took fifth place with 2,660, while Toshiba came in seventh with 2,416.
Qualcomm's 2,103 patents earned the company ninth place.
