Canon Places Fifth in U.S. Patent Rankings and First Among Japanese Companies, Places in Top Five for 38 Years Running
SINGAPORE, 17 January 2024 — Canon Inc. ranked fifth for the number of U.S. patents awarded in 2023, becoming the only company in the world to have ranked in the top five for 38 years running, according to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. What’s more, Canon ranked first among Japanese companies for 19 consecutive years.
Canon 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 U.S. Patent Rankings 2014–2023 (Previous 10 Years)
| Year | Overall Ranking | Ranking Among Japanese Companies | No. of Patents |
| 2023 | 5th | 1st | 2,890 |
| 2022 | 5th | 1st | 2,694 |
| 2021 | 3rd | 1st | 3,021 |
| 2020 | 3rd | 1st | 3,225 |
| 2019 | 3rd | 1st | 3,548 |
| 2018 | 3rd | 1st | 3,051 |
| 2017 | 3rd | 1st | 3,284 |
| 2016 | 3rd | 1st | 3,662 |
| 2015 | 3rd | 1st | 4,127 |
| 2014 | 3rd | 1st | 4,048 |
Note: Number of patents for 2021 to 2023 are based on figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services (as of January 10, 2024). Figures for 2014 to 2020 are based on information issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Canon 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 the development of fundamental technologies such as cutting-edge SPAD sensors, photon counting CT, image processing technology that utilises deep learning, next-generation technology for commercial printing, and nanoimprint lithography, that can be the source of business creation, being 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 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.
About Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd.
Canon is a global leader in photographic and digital imaging solutions. Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. is the headquarters for South & Southeast Asia driving sales, marketing and service strategies. Besides handling the domestic market, the company covers 22 other countries and regions including subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The parent company Canon Inc. has a global network of more than 300 companies and employs about 180,000 people worldwide. Canon is guided by its kyosei philosophy that focuses on living and working together for the common good.
More information is available at https://sg.canon.