Japanese companies took the top three places...

Japanese companies took the top three places on the list of businesses that earned U.S. patents last year, according to an association that represents patent and trademark holders. Camera maker Canon K. K. was the leader with 847 patents granted in 1987, according to a list released by Intellectual Property Owners Inc. Second and third were electronics companies Hitachi Ltd., with 845 patents and Toshiba Corp. with 823. The leading U.S. based firm on the patent list was the General Electric Co., with 779 patents. However, GE’s subsidiary, RCA Corp. placed 10th on the list with 504 patents.