Lenovo

Industry sector: Computer hardware

Headquarters: Beijing; Morrisville, United States

Intellectual property has deep roots at computer hardware and electronics manufacturer Lenovo, a truly international player which now ranks second only to Hewlett-Packard in the global PC sector. A key driver of this success was its 2005 acquisition of IBM’s PC business; the surprise deal, while initially greeted with scepticism, has since catapulted Lenovo to the very top of the market. Its IP management and strategic nous are roundly praised, with a strong domestic patent team a particular highlight.