Intel heads list of the top US patent assignees again, but Samsung's second

2011 may be remembered for many of its big news stories, a huge number of them based around the various willy-waving antics of manufacturer legal departments, as many of the biggest (and smallest) of tech companies were involved in the patent wars.

So entering 2012, it may prove beneficial to peruse the list of the top 50 US patent assignees - a list in which Samsung came second, having obtained 4,894 new patents, though it should be noted that the majorit aren't all based around mobile technology.

Attack of the patents

Microsoft was placed sixth, with 2,311 new patents over the course of the year. Sony was in seventh, 2,286 patents richer going into 2012.

Qualcomm picked up 923 new patents, gaining it the 26th place in the table, while Apple features on the 39th step, with 676 patents.

RIM was just behind the Cupertino-based firm in 40th with 663 patents.

Unsurprisingly, IBM - once again - was the company with the most new inventions, with a whopping 6,180 patents.

With all these patents flying about we're sure there's a whole year full of new patent infringement cases to look forward to.

[source: IFI Claims]