Canon top Japanese company for U.S. patents for eleventh consecutive year

Canon, leader in imaging solutions, today announced that it was again ranked first among Japanese companies and third overall for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2015, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services in January 2016.

As part of its research and development efforts, Canon actively pursues patents in a number of countries and regions while taking into consideration local business strategies and technology trends. Among these, the United States, with its many high-tech companies and large market scale, represents a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.

“Canon’s focus on research and development is a high priority and key attribute of its corporate DNA,” said Philip Brady, country manager, Canon Ireland. “With continued investment in developing a wide variety of powerful tools, solutions and services within its core markets and in new business areas.

Through close cooperation between Canon’s technology and intellectual property divisions, the Company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.

Canon has ranked in the top five patent holders for 30 consecutive years.

 Canon US patent ranking among Japanese companies 2005–2015

Year                                        Ranking*                               No. of patents

2015                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            4,134

2014                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            4,055

2013                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            3,817

2012                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            3,173

2011                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            2,818

2010                                        1^st (4^th)                                                            2,551

2009                                        1^st (4^th)                                                            2,200

2008                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            2,107

2007                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            1,983

2006                                        1^st (3^rd)                                                            2,367

2005                                        1^st (2^nd)                                               1,828

* Number in parenthesis represents Canon’s ranking among all companies

Note: Number of patents for 2015 based on preliminary figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Figures for 2005 to 2014 tabulated by Canon based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

About Canon

Canon is a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions for the home and office environments. Only a few companies serve both business and consumer markets and Canon is exceptional in that we are a significant player in each.

Canon Ireland is the Irish operation for the global company – Canon Inc. – based in Tokyo, Japan.  Canon products have been marketed in Ireland since 1978 – in the Republic of Ireland, Canon (Irl) Business Equipment Ltd is a registered Irish company, while in Northern Ireland the trading company is called Canon (UK) Ltd.

In Ireland Canon operates from purpose-built state of the art headquarters in Citywest Business Park, Dublin and employs approximately 90 people.  Canon Ireland prides itself on being a highly customer-focused company which supplies not just innovative products but also the highest level of service and IT support and consulting. This approach has led to the Canon brand being leader in many of its markets.

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