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Canon top Japanese company in U.S. patents for twelfth consecutive year

LONDON, 16 January 2017 — 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 2016, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services in January 2017.

As part of its research and development efforts, Canon actively pursues patents in a number of countries and regions, while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product 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.

Technological innovation continues to be a high priority for Canon and a key attribute to its corporate DNA, with continued investment in developing a wide variety of powerful products, solutions and services within its core markets and 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 31 consecutive years.


Notes to Editors

Canon US patent ranking among Japanese companies 2005–2016

YearRanking*No. of patents
20161st (3rd)3,665
20151st (3rd)4,127
20141st (3rd)4,048
20131st (3rd)3,820
20121st (3rd)3,173
20111st (3rd)2,818
20101st (4th)2,551
20091st (4th)2,200
20081st (3rd)2,107
20071st (3rd)1,983
20061st (3rd)2,366
20051st (2nd)1,829

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

Note: Number of patents for 2016 based on preliminary figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. Figures for 2005 to 2015 tabulated by Canon based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.