STAMFORD, Conn., June 10 -- Pitney Bowes Inc. today announced that the Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO) has ranked the company among the top U.S. patent holders for 2003. According to IPO's most recent annual report, Pitney Bowes placed 177th among the world's top 300 U.S. patent owners with 95 U.S. patents. The top 300 U.S. patent holders in 2003 included global companies, government agencies, colleges and research foundations. Over 26,000 companies received U.S. patents in 2003. This is the 17th consecutive year that Pitney Bowes has received a top ranking in IPO's U.S. patent holder list. Pitney Bowes was listed among IPO's top 200 U.S. patent owners in 1984. In 2002, Pitney Bowes ranked 195th with 86 U.S. patents. Other Connecticut companies making the 2003 list include General Electric, which placed 9th and United Technologies Corp., which placed 76th. "We are proud that Pitney Bowes continues to be one of the most successful innovators among U.S. companies with a tradition of innovation that spans more than eight decades. Our seventeen consecutive years as one of the nation's top patent holders is a key reason that Pitney Bowes continues to wear the mantle of technological leadership in mail and document management. Nearly every technological innovation in the global mailing industry since the invention of the postage meter has resulted from Pitney Bowes' investment in research and development," said Michael J. Critelli, Chairman and CEO of Pitney Bowes, Inc. Mr. Critelli added, "This ranking clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to provide our customers with the most advanced products and services." Currently, Pitney Bowes holds more than 3,500 active patents worldwide, covering a range of technologies including shipping, printing, encryption, funds management and security.