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Patents portfolio

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State-of-the art patent portfolio
For each of the past 15 years (1993-2007), IBM has been granted more U.S. patents than any other company. During that period IBM has received more than 38,000 US patents. In 2007, IBM received 3,125 U.S. patents.

Since 1996, IBM has invested approximately $5 billion per year in research, development and engineering. IBM's current active portfolio of about 26,000 patents in the United States and over 40,000 patents worldwide for inventions in areas of primary technology focus for all IBM customers, is a direct result of that investment.

The six broad categories illustrated here present a sample of the array of technology areas covered by the IBM patent portfolio. While many of these inventions find their way into IBM products and services, they may also be licensed to enhance the value of your business as well.