Patent activity slumps for first time in nine years

IBM granted the most patents, figures show

The number of patents filed in the US has slumped for the first time since 2007, according to new figures, which show IBM filed more than any other firm.

IFI Claims Patent Services, which tracks patents filed in the US, says that in 2015, almost 300,000 patents were granted, down one per cent on the year before. Although the slump was small, it marked the first decrease since 2007, the firm said.

IBM was named the leader - filing more patents than any other company - but even the number it filed was "down slightly" over the same period. However, it retained its number-one position, ahead of second-place Samsung and third-place Canon, which retain their respective places too.

Although the top three remained steady, there were some significant moves further down the rankings, with Amazon jumping from 50th place in 2014 to 26th last year.

IFI said that although there was something of a slowdown in patent filings in 2015, it is not indicative of an innovation slowdown.

"After seven straight years of prolific patent growth, 2015 saw the first sign of de-acceleration," said Mike Baycroft, CEO of IFI.

"I would not suggest, though, that the patent train is losing momentum as many companies continue to crank out more patents than the previous year. That historic seven-year run was remarkable, especially when you consider that IBM, Samsung and Canon each generate more than twice as many patents now as they did a decade ago."