MELVILLE, N.Y. – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce that its parent company, Canon Inc., for the 28th consecutive year, has ranked among the top five U.S. patent holders. This year, Canon's commitment and investment in research and development resulted in a total of 3,825 patents, an increase of 20 percent over 2012. According to the latest ranking of preliminary patent results issued by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, Canon ranked third overall, and for the ninth consecutive year, Canon ranked first among Japanese companies for the number of U.S. patents granted in 2013.

These new patents will allow the Company to expand into new product categories while improving on core technologies. The dedication Canon has made to research and development has enabled the Company to remain a leader in patents held year after year.

"The patents issued for 2013 are a symbol of our commitment to innovation and growth," said Seymour Liebman, executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "Research and development is a top priority at Canon because it enables us to tap into new markets and bring advanced products to our customers."

Canon puts great emphasis on providing technology that is ever-changing. Through close cooperation between Canon's technology and intellectual property divisions, the Company aims to improve its technological capabilities while further enhancing its intellectual property rights.

For more information on Canon and its products, please visit: www.usa.canon.com.