Apple were awarded 676 patents in 2011, which ranks them 39th among companies in the U.S. The ranking created by IFI Claims Patents Services lists the 50 top companies with the most patents for 2011. IBM were the main inventors with a whopping 6180 grants in front of Samsung’s US division which had 4894.
Apple’s 676 patents put it ahead of other direct competitors such as RIM (663), LG (643) and Nokia (585). Other large companies ahead of Apple were Microsoft (2311), HP (1308) and Intel (1244).
With the many lawsuits currently taking place between the companies on this list, patents have an ever increasing value and they will no bout be crucial in deciding the outcome of many legal battles.
