Short Take: IBM top patent winners in 1997
International Business Machines has captured the top spot among U.S. patent recipients for the fifth consecutive year. Big Blue said it received 1,724 U.S. patents in 1997, the second-highest total in its history after the record 1,867 it was awarded in 1996. Canon placed second, while NEC beat out Motorola to take the No. 3 slot. For the second straight year, Japanese companies captured seven of the top 10 spots and U.S. companies the remaining three.
has
captured the top spot among U.S. patent recipients for the fifth
consecutive year. Big Blue said it received 1,724 U.S. patents in 1997, the
second-highest total in its history after the record 1,867 it was awarded
in 1996. Canon placed second, while
NEC beat out Motorola to take the No. 3 slot. For the
second straight year, Japanese companies captured seven of the top 10 spots
and U.S. companies the remaining three.