Canon Inc.

Canon Inc. is a Japanese multinational corporation founded in 1937 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a publicly traded company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 7751). As of December 2025, Canon reported having over 165,000 employees and annual revenue of approximately $30.9 billion. The company is a major global manufacturer of imaging and optical products.

Canon operates through several business segments, with its printing and office equipment division generating the most revenue. Key product lines include office multifunction devices, laser and inkjet printers, scanners, and digital production presses. The company is also a prominent manufacturer of digital cameras, including DSLR and mirrorless models, interchangeable lenses, and cinema cameras. Other significant business areas include medical systems, such as X-ray machines, and industrial equipment, including semiconductor lithography equipment.

Based on the provided data, Canon's patent litigation posture is that of an operating company defending its products against infringement claims. The company has been a defendant in one tracked case and has not appeared as a plaintiff. This defendant-only record is typical of technology manufacturers targeted by patent assertion entities.

The single tracked case, Intellectual Ventures I LLC v. Canon Inc. et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware in 2012. The plaintiff, Intellectual Ventures, is a well-known non-practicing entity (NPE) that acquires and asserts patents. This lawsuit involved patents related to digital cameras and printing technology. The case reflects a common pattern where large technology companies like Canon are sued by NPEs over features in their complex products.