Canon places in top 10 for 41 years running in U.S. patent ranking
Ranks first for the 20th consecutive year among Japanese companies
HONG KONG, 17 January 2025 — Canon Inc. announced on 15 January 2025 that in 2024, Canon ranked ninth in the number of patents registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), placing it in the world's top 10 for 41 consecutive years, according to IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, a US-based patent research firm. Moreover, Canon ranked first among Japanese companies for the 20th consecutive year.
Canon emphasises the importance of obtaining patents not only in Japan but also internationally. It promotes patent filing based on regional business strategies, as well as technology advancement and product trends. The United States, with its concentration of high-tech companies and its large market scale, is a particularly important region in terms of business expansion and technology alliances.
Top 15 companies by number of US patents obtained in 2024*
Rank |
Patent holder |
Number of patents |
| 1 | Samsung Electronics Co Ltd | 6,377 |
| 2 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co TSMC Ltd | 3,989 |
| 3 | Qualcomm Inc | 3,422 |
| 4 | Apple Inc | 3,082 |
| 5 | Huawei Technologies Co Ltd | 3,046 |
| 6 | LG Electronics Inc | 2,768 |
| 7 | Samsung Display Co Ltd | 2,596 |
| 8 | International Business Machines Corp | 2,465 |
| 9 | Canon Inc | 2,329 |
| 10 | Google LLC | 2,054 |
| 11 | Intel Corp | 1,931 |
| 12 | BOE Technology Group Co Ltd | 1,870 |
| 13 | Micron Technology Inc | 1,796 |
| 14 | Toyota Motor Corp | 1,779 |
| 15 | Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC | 1,707 |
*Numbers of patents based on figures released by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services (as of 15 January 2025).
Canon makes maximum use of its intellectual property portfolio to enhance corporate value by supporting the evolution of management and business while examining various environmental changes to foresee future social and economic trends. In addition to focusing on the acquisition of intellectual property rights related to core business competencies, Canon devotes significant resources to the acquisition of intellectual property rights that anticipate future developments, including those related to versatile technologies in such fields as AI and IoT, industry standards, and the environment, to create new businesses. Leveraging its intellectual property portfolio, Canon is working to boost its business expansion by securing both its current competitive advantage and the freedom to conduct business in the future, while obtaining licensing revenues to compensate development costs.
Canon will continue its intellectual property initiatives with the goal of supporting its businesses, providing products and services with higher added value, and contributing to a better society.
About Canon Hongkong Company Limited
Canon Inc. (TSE:7751) was founded in 1937 in Japan. Its predecessor, Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, produced Japan's first 35 mm focal-plane-shutter camera “Kwanon” in 1934. From there, Canon Inc. expanded into the photocopying and printing industries, launching Japan's first plain-paper copier NP-1100 in 1970 and the world's first inkjet printer BJ-80 in 1985. Through the years, Canon Inc. has acquired in-depth experience in digital imaging product manufacturing, research and development. Pioneering in innovative product development, Canon Inc. holds the most technology patents in the imaging industry. Canon Inc. also makes significant contributions to promote photography. Today, Canon Inc. has a strong global presence, representing one of the most important market players in the imaging, office and industrial product categories. As of 31 December 2023, Canon's global revenue was US$29.44 billion.
In 1971, Canon Hongkong Co., Ltd. (Canon Hong Kong) was established as one of the first Canon offices in Asia. Canon Hong Kong is a Total Imaging Solution provider, providing professional pre-sales, marketing and after-sales services for all Canon products and solutions in Hong Kong and Macau. With the solely owned subsidiary Canon Business Solutions (Guangdong) Co., Ltd. established in 2018; the company continues to deliver intelligent total business solutions and professional services to Greater Bay Area. Canon Hong Kong adheres to Canon’s corporate philosophy of “Kyosei”, encouraging the company and staff to engage in social, charitable and environmental activities for the community. Implementing an internationally recognized management system, Canon Hong Kong has achieved ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 (Canon Digital Production Center) certifications.
For more information about Canon Hong Kong, please visit our website: https://hk.canon.
