Management Forum Blog

There is no question that innovation and creativity – powered by intellectual property concepts – have provided the engine behind the success of the American enterprise. To underscore this point, the US Chamber of Commerce recently released a comprehensive study on the importance of IP in all 50 states.

Did you know?

Texas ranks 2nd in the nation in terms of number of patents granted
Virginia has the highest concentration of technology workers in the nation
Washington State has the 2nd highest innovation capacity in the nation*
New York accounted for more than 10% of all trademarks applications filed by US residents

Intellectual property works – from sea to shining sea. And this fact is borne out by the comprehensive study on the importance of intellectual property (IP) and innovation in America – recently released by the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). GIPC’s Fact Sheets provide a look at the roles innovation and creativity play in each of the 50 states, highlighting local companies along with interesting IP facts and figures.

Looking at the Fact Sheets, it becomes obvious that all across America, intellectual property plays a vital role in creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating best-in-class solutions to global challenges. For example, before looking at the list, try to match which state made which innovation:
Utah                                                            Xerox technology
Idaho                                                           the assembly line
Kansas                                                        modern GPS products
Oklahoma                                                    world’s first airplane
Michigan                                                      the first artificial heart
Wyoming                                                     shopping carts
Iowa                                                            frozen French fries
Tennessee                                                   slicing machine for sliced bread
North Carolina                                              cotton candy
Washington State                                         the turbojet engine

From life-saving drugs to cell phone technology, IP is part of Americans’ everyday lives, supporting industries that employ nearly 18 million workers, account for more than $5 trillion of the US gross domestic product, and represent 40 percent of US economic growth. That’s why, besides revealing eye-opening information, the GIPC’s State Fact Sheets project is significant for putting the spotlight on the importance of IP to economic growth and human advancement in each and every state across the country. Part of an interactive, easy-to-use map available online and in print format, the project serves as a resource for legislators, policymakers, and the public to identify and promote successful companies, inventors, creative artists, and innovative enterprises in all fifty states, and better understand the role they play in the American economy and society.

According to Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC, “America has a story to tell, and each story is unique…The value of innovation can be found in every corner of the country, and every state and community plays a role in helping us all achieve the American dream. The State Fact Sheet project captures this spirit of innovation and entrepreneur[ship] and will prove to be a useful resource in highlighting the role IP plays in our lives.”

Bottom line: GIPC’s State Fact Sheets project makes the case – and a strong one – for IP.

* Noted by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation’s 2008 Index

About the GIPC
The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region. The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion IP as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

This article was provided by the BPCouncil.