IBM earned more U.S. patents in 2010 than any other company, topping the list of patent winners for the 18th year in a row. Apple broke into the top 50 for the first time, reports "NetworkWorld" (http://macte.ch/ADm2Z).

With 563 patents granted, Apple earned the No. 46 position in IFI’s count. Other tech vendors earning spots on the top 50 list include Cisco, which placed 17th with 1,115 patents, and SAP, in 42nd place with 649 patents.

IBM secured 5,896 patents last year, according to data from IFI Claims Patent Services. Samsung Electronics was the second most prolific patent winner, with 4,551 patents received in 2010. Microsoft placed third with 3,094 patents, followed by Canon (2,552), Panasonic (2,482), Toshiba (2,246), Sony (2,150), Intel (1,653), LG Electronics (1,490) and HP (1,480).

The top 10 list is nearly unchanged from 2009, says "NetworkWorld." Only the ninth-place recipient is different: LG Electronics displaced last year’s No. 9 patent winner, Seiko Epson Corp., the article adds.