IBM’s Impressive Patent Record

In 2019, tech giant IBM took the patent world by storm, securing a staggering 9,626 patents, solidifying its spot as the king of inventions. This isn’t just a title; it’s a 27-year streak of leading the pack in U.S. patents. That’s right—while most of us were perfecting our Netflix binge-watching skills, IBM was busy filing more patents than anyone could count.

AI and Blockchain: The Hot Spots

With more than 1,800 patents in artificial intelligence and over 2,500 in cloud technology, IBM isn’t just spinning its wheels in the tech sandbox. In fact, its growth in blockchain technology has been outrageous! In just one year, they tripled their blockchain patents, boasting an impressive collection of over 100 active patent families.

The Market’s Potential

Yuval Halevi, co-founder of a crypto PR agency, summed it up perfectly: “When a mega corporation like IBM, with 366,000 employees, pours a substantial chunk of resources into blockchain, you know they’re onto something big.” This is not just idle investing; it’s like investing in a future of digital currency and secure transactions.

The Latest Innovations

IBM’s latest patent includes a fascinating concept known as the “self-aware token”. This invention is designed to track and record offline transactions—think of it as a digital snoop that knows when you’ve bought a coffee without connecting to the internet. Their focus on improving permissioned blockchain networks and database management showcases a future where security reigns supreme.

The Blockchain Patent Battle

The patent race isn’t just a friendly competition; it’s more like a high-stakes poker game where the pot keeps getting bigger. The U.S. and China are locked in a battle for blockchain supremacy. According to Cointelegraph, from 2014 to late 2019, China’s patent office awarded 2,218 blockchain patents compared to a meager 227 from the U.S..

China’s Strategic Moves

In a surprising move, the NIPA (National Intellectual Property Administration) in China announced new guidelines for blockchain patents, speeding up their pursuit of patent dominance. It’s like watching a thriller unfold in real time—with IBM at the forefront in one corner, and China raising the stakes in the other.