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

posted by Alan F. / Jan 11, 2013, 9:49 AM

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

1. roscuthiii

Posts: 2383; Member since: Jul 18, 2010

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

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 9:54 AM 2

11. Aeires unregistered

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

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 11:22 AM 1

15. mahdik23

Posts: 1; Member since: Jan 11, 2013

patent troll

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 1:16 PM 0

2. menny07

Posts: 89; Member since: Dec 13, 2012

Soon Apple will patent even CRAP. lmao!

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 9:56 AM 7

17. opensourceftw

Posts: 148; Member since: Jan 01, 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 Jan 11, 2013, 4:30 PM 0

3. Savage unregistered

Dafaq has Foxconn patents for? Unhealthy work environment?

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 10:01 AM 9

4. menny07

maybe new manufacturing techniques?? dont know :/

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 10:05 AM 4

5. appleDOESNT.com

Posts: 456; Member since: Nov 19, 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 Jan 11, 2013, 10:10 AM 10

21. stealthd unregistered

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

posted on Jan 12, 2013, 8:55 PM 0

22. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

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

posted on Jan 13, 2013, 9:49 PM 0

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 Jan 11, 2013, 10:11 AM 2

8. PapaSmurf

Posts: 10457; Member since: May 14, 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 Jan 11, 2013, 10:52 AM 3

10. androiddownsouth

Posts: 598; Member since: May 02, 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 Jan 11, 2013, 11:12 AM 5

7. InspectorGadget80 unregistered

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

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 10:23 AM 1

9. jed27

Posts: 65; Member since: Jun 09, 2012

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

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 10:54 AM 2

13. thunderbolt

Posts: 76; Member since: Jan 10, 2013

patentarena.com domain is already gone.

posted on Jan 11, 2013, 12:07 PM 1

16. jsdechavez

Posts: 806; Member since: Jul 20, 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.""