IBM set a new U.S. patent record in 2011, marking the 19th consecutive year that the company has led the annual list of patent recipients. IBM inventors earned a record 6,180 U.S. patents in 2011. More than 8,000 IBMers residing in 46 different U.S. states and 36 countries are responsible for the company’s record-breaking 2011 patent tally. IBM inventors who reside outside the U.S. contributed to more than 26% of the company’s 2011 patents. 2011 U.S. Patent Leaders, according to IFI CLAIMS Patent Services:
| 1. IBM | 6,180 | 6. Microsoft | 2,311 |
| 2. Samsung | 4,894 | 7. Sony | 2,286 |
| 3. Canon | 2,821 | 8. Seiko Epson | 1,533 |
| 4. Panasonic | 2,559 | 9. Hon Hai | 1,514 |
| 5. Toshiba | 2,483 | 10. Hitachi | 1,465 |
