IBM leads tech patent filings in 2013, Google accelerates

IBM has retained its patent crown in 2013, while Google climbed to No. 11 in the rankings.

According to data from IFI Claims Patent Services, IBM was awarded 6809 utility patents in 2013, up 5% compared to 2012, PCWorld reports.

IBM snared more US patents than any other company for the 21st year in a row, the report added.

The top ten in the patent list were:

1. IBM (6809)

2. Samsung Electronics (4675)

3. Canon (3825)

4. Sony (3098)

5. Microsoft (2660)

6. Panasonic (2601)

7. Toshiba (2416)

8. Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (2279)

9. Qualcomm (2103)

10. LG Electronics (1947)

11. Google