The numbers are staggering. In 2017, IBM obtained almost 9,000 U.S. patents. If you consider the fact that IBM obtains patents all over the world, you realize that this company consistently spends incredible amounts of money in order to secure intellectual property protection.

IBM has numerous strategies in place in order to obtain patents as cost effectively as possible. Nevertheless, huge investments are being made. Why would an organization spend so much money on patent protection? The reasons vary, and will depend upon particular business models.