IBM Research My IBM Site navigation Arrow left IBM Research IBM Tops U.S. Patent List for 28th Consecutive Year IBM scientists and researchers received 9,130 U.S. patents in 2020, the most of any company, marking 28 consecutive years of IBM patent leadership. Learn more ↓ Watch video (01:00) Overview Patents were awarded to more than 9,000 inventors located in 46 U.S. states and 54 countries. Since 1920, IBM has received more than 150,000 U.S. patents and played a crucial role in innovations ranging from magnetic storage to laser eye surgery. IBM’s culture of scientific research is integral to the company’s legacy of innovation that matters to our clients and to the world. To that end, in April 2020, IBM announced that it was a founding partner of the Open COVID Pledge, which grants free access to the patents and patent applications of its portfolio of more than 80,000 patents worldwide to those developing technologies to help diagnose, prevent, contain or treat coronaviruses. IBM led the industry in the number of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, quantum computing and security-related patents granted. Key patent fields Artificial Intelligence Learn more about what's next in AI Learn more about AI solutions for your business Featured progress Hybrid Cloud Learn more about what's next in Hybrid Cloud Learn more about Hybrid Cloud for your business Featured progress Quantum Computing Learn more about what's next in Quantum Computing Learn more about Quantum Computing at IBM Featured progress Security Learn more about security solutions at IBM Featured progress 5 in 5: Five ways technology will change our lives within five years Radically accelerating the process of discovery will enable our sustainable future Explore the predictions Cookie Preferences