Four of the Top Five US patent holders in 2012 make cameras

Patents are the current current that drives the technology cold wars, and the lawyers offices are overflowing with paperworks. Chipworks has created an infographic (.png) showing the Top 20 US patent holders in 2012. The infographic also contrasts them to the top 20 of 2000.

Four of the top five companies in the 2012 top five make digital cameras, and yes, they are consumer electronics: Samsung, Canon, Sony, and Panasonic. More companies in the top 20 have direct or indirect digital imaging connection, Toshiba, Seiko Epson, Ricoh and Hewlett Packard (printers).