Japan And U.S. Dominate Patent's Top 10

ByJohn S. McClenahen Although IBM Corp. collected more U.S. patents last year than any other private-sector firm, Japan placed the largest number on the roster of top 10 U.S. patent recipients. NEC Corp., Canon K.K., Sony Corp., Toshiba Corp., and Fujitsu Ltd. each garnered more than 1,100 U.S. patents. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a South Korean firm, also made the list compiled by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In addition to IBM, which received 2,886 U.S. patents during the year 2000, the U.S. companies making the top 10 are Lucent Technologies Corp., Micron Technology Inc., and Motorola Inc.