Chamber Study Highlights Georgia’s Innovative Contributions
WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting Georgia’s contributions to America’s innovation economy. This study is part of GIPC’s State Fact Sheets, which provide a look at the roles innovation and creativity play in each state. The report highlights local companies and facts demonstrating how innovation and creativity—which are safeguarded by strong IP rights—serve as a driving force behind economic recovery and future growth.
“Innovation and creativity are vital to Georgia’s economy,” said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president of the Chamber’s GIPC. Home to an innovative economy, Georgia supports 165,500 jobs, as well as a software industry boasting nearly 11,000 employees earning over $1 billion in wages. Additionally, Georgia technology workers earn an average annual salary of $75,900. Esper noted examples of innovation and creativity in Georgia. According to GIPC’s study, Georgia innovators received 1,580 patents in 2007 alone. In addition, the number of businesses involved in the creation and distribution of copyrighted works grew to more than 17,600 in 2008, an increase of 16% from the previous year.
“Indeed, Georgians are proven innovators,” said Esper. In 1886, Dr. John Pemberton created “coca cola,” which was later sold to a pharmacist who formed the Coca Cola Company.Additionally, in 1794, Eli Whitney received a patent for the cotton gin, which was a mechanical device that removed seeds from cotton. “America has a unique story to tell, and Georgia plays a large role in this story. Innovation and creativity are essential to economic growth and human advancement, and Georgia’s IP contributions reflect this.”
The Georgia State Fact Sheet is intended to be a resource for legislators, policymakers, and the public to identify successful companies, inventors, creative artists, and innovators to better understand the role they play in our economy and society. As part of an easy-to-use, interactive map, the State Fact Sheet project can be accessed online at www.theglobalipcenter.com, as well as in a printable format.
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
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.
For more information, please contact Trinh Nguyen at 202-463-5379.
