For the 17 straight year, IBM has once again lead the patent race. In 2009, IBM grabbed the largest number of certified patents which brings their total patent number to more than 30,000.
IBM was able to get their 4,914 innovative softwares patented. Samsung trails at 2nd place with 3,611 and Redmond's Microsoft at the third place with their 2,906 patents for the year 2009.
According to IBM, aside from the almost 5,000 patented softwares they had last year, they were also able to publish almost 4,000 technical inventions and products without patent protection. Apparently, this was to serve as a kick start for software developer.
On the other hand, the large patent archive of IBM attracts companies and individuals who wanted to learn of IBM's secrets when it comes to making softwares patented. And so, IBM decided to capitalize on this and is looking at the idea of selling its patent portfolio and offer professional advice and trainings.
"We are making our IP (intellectual property) know-how and patent management software available because clients have increasingly approached IBM for insight into how to effectively establish and manage their own patent and IP portfolios," said Kevin Reardon, IBM's general manager of Intellectual Property and vice president of Research Business Development. "This approach is consistent with our commitment to working with others to encourage an environment of collaboration and cooperation in the patent and intellectual property arena." he added.
Patents have played huge roles in today's software legalities. Microsoft for one has faced and is facing charges regarding patents breach and violations from other companies. Patent trolls.
