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Apple garnered 1,136 new patents in 2012, up 68% from 2011

Apple garnered 1,136 new patents in 2012, up 68% from 2011

Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 08:49, by Alan F.

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Apple garnered 1,136 new patents in 2012, up 68% from 2011

Apple received 68% more patent awards in 2012, like this one for a mini-SIM card connector

On Thursday, we told you that Google had received 1,151 patents in 2012 which was a 170% increase over 2011. We also pointed out that Apple had been awarded 1,136 patents last year, 68% more than the amount awarded in 2011. But how did both fare when compared to other companies with an active IP portfolio? Google was 21st in a list of the top 60 companies ranked by new patent awards. Apple placed 22nd. The numbers show significant increases from 2011 when Apple received 676 patents, good for 39th place.

IBM led the list last year, receiving 6,478 patents or more than 17 a day. That is a lot of innovation and it also was the 20th year that IBM was on top. Right behind Big Blue was Samsung as Apple's rival scored 5,081 new patents. Japanese manufacturer Sony ranked fourth with 3,032 patents and Microsoft was sixth with 2,613 awards. Foxconn placed eighth with 2,013.

While it is great to see such innovations from today's top companies, not all of these patents will end up being used in a product. Some of those that do end up used in a device might just end up being displayed in court.

source: AppleInsider

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22 Comments

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posted on 11 Jan 2013, 09:54 2

1. roscuthiii (Posts: 2246; Member since: 18 Jul 2010)

Nooooo, we don't need patent reform at all... /s

*facepalm

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 11:22 1

11. Aeires (unregistered)

Sad that most probably won't even be created, just patented.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 13:16

15. mahdik23 (Posts: 1; Member since: 11 Jan 2013)

patent troll

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 09:56 7

2. menny07 (Posts: 89; Member since: 13 Dec 2012)

Soon Apple will patent even CRAP. lmao!

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 16:30

17. opensourceftw (banned) (Posts: 148; Member since: 01 Jan 2013)

Wouldn't surprise me. They're halfway there, I usually think about apple or steve jobs when I'm firing out a particularly difficult growler.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:01 9

3. Savage (unregistered)

Dafaq has Foxconn patents for? Unhealthy work environment?

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:05 4

4. menny07 (Posts: 89; Member since: 13 Dec 2012)

maybe new manufacturing techniques?? dont know :/

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:10 10

5. appleDOESNT.com (banned) (Posts: 456; Member since: 19 Nov 2011)

Difference between Apple and everyone else is you don't see lawsuits and the overall prevention of competition as their sole purpose to said patents. Google, MS, Sony, they all patent everything too you just don't see them being big babies about such nonsense. Slide to unlock, virtual page turns, app store, icons on screen, clicking link in email and rounded edges on rectangular device come to mind >( No other companies are such iTools that is for sure!

posted on 12 Jan 2013, 20:55

21. stealthd (unregistered)

You clearly do not know these companies very well (MS especially).

posted on 13 Jan 2013, 21:49

22. sprockkets (Posts: 1611; Member since: 16 Jan 2012)

IBM has been a big tool, just not this decade.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:11 2

6. windroid (unregistered)

Well this site is somehow biased... if for instance Samsung was number two in patent number with 5,081 patents (aprox. 4.5 more patents than Apple) why don't they refer Samsung instead?

The only possible reason is all the noise Apple patents are creating.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:52 3

8. PapaSmurf (Posts: 10457; Member since: 14 May 2012)

If Apple is on the headline of an article, it's going to get more page views than if Samsung, Sony, Microsoft, or RIM was in it.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 11:12 5

10. androiddownsouth (Posts: 598; Member since: 02 May 2012)

Probably because Samsung is only countersueing Apple, vs using their patents as a means of keeping down competition. I think even die hard Apple fans can admit they engage in far too much litigation over things that really don't matter, like the aforementioned rectangle with rounded corners and slide to unlock.....

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:23 1

7. InspectorGadget80 (unregistered)

And Apple USES it's patents TO SUE AND BAN any competition that threatens them. WHO CARES

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 10:54 2

9. jed27 (Posts: 65; Member since: 09 Jun 2012)

1,136 patents = 1,136 lawsuits..or more.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 12:07 1

13. thunderbolt (Posts: 76; Member since: 10 Jan 2013)

patentarena.com domain is already gone.

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 15:42

16. jsdechavez (Posts: 758; Member since: 20 Jul 2012)

Really sad: ""While it is great to see such innovations from today's top companies, not all of these patents will end up being used in a product. Some of those that do end up used in a device might just end up being displayed in court.""

posted on 11 Jan 2013, 18:13 3

20. Twisted247 (Posts: 282; Member since: 12 Oct 2012)

1151 new patents and not a single new product in 2012.. They have nothing up left their sleeve but sleaze ball legal crap

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