Canon Inc. ranked fifth for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2022 and is first among Japanese companies for 18 consecutive years.
This means the company has become the only company in the world to have ranked in the top five for 37 years running, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.
Canon said in its announcement it actively promotes the globalisation of its business and places great value on obtaining patents overseas, carefully adhering to a patent-filing strategy that pursues patents in essential countries and regions while taking into consideration the business strategies and technology and product trends unique to each location.
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 added that it aims to create new technologies in its four business groups of printing, imaging, medical and industrial equipment. In addition to strengthening the competitiveness of each of its businesses, in recent years, the company has been focusing on development of fundamental technologies, such as video analysis, cutting-edge image sensors, volumetric video and healthcare AI, that can be applied and utilised for various purposes, as well as the acquisition of patent rights for such technologies.
In keeping with the times, in order to encourage the core competency technologies that support its business, Canon promotes the acquisition and utilisation of intellectual property rights, which it uses to maintain a robust patent portfolio that ensures the competitiveness and freedom of its businesses.
Going forward, Canon said it will continue its intellectual property initiatives with the goal of supporting its businesses, providing products and services with added value, and contributing to a better society.
